ISSUE 28 SEPTEMBER 2020
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Coronavirus puts more people back in cars WHILE SUPPLY CHAINS COME UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE DISRUPTION CAUSED BY COVID-19, FEAR OF THE DISEASE IS INCREASING PEOPLE’S RELIANCE ON THEIR CARS he government’s announcement that masks will become essential on public transport, while practical, is only likely to accelerate a trend back into cars, as the move makes buses and trains more readily identifiable as high-risk places. It is a trend that is already evident overseas in countries that previously had a much higher passenger usage on public transport. While some of those countries have accelerated development of bike lanes as an alternative, a German study has shown that the temporary lanes installed so far have not reduced the incidence of crashes involving cyclists, especially fatal accidents involving articulated trucks. Lanes protected by kerbs would be more effective but permanent street furniture takes time to build. In Australia, demand for second-hand cars has
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increased as former public transport users are moving back into the ready-made personal transport bubble available in cars. Used car prices in Australia in July 2020 were 30.8 per cent higher than during the April slump in sales. The data from Moody’s Analytics shows the amount people were paying for used vehicles was up 16.2 per cent on pre-pandemic prices. The latest census figures from Stats NZ show that more than 1.5 million people drive to work or school here. It’s the first time this data have been collected, so we don’t have a comparison with previous census data, but it is likely that the Covid pressure noted overseas will increase car use here too. Many city residents will have noted that, while traffic was down immediately after the Level 4 lockdown, within weeks it was back up to preCovid levels — even though more commuters in
white-collar jobs have made arrangements to work from home for part of the week.
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Contents
From the Ed.
16 Covid targets transport
Cover / 4
Getting to grips with waste oil
8
Keeping the parts coming
9
Taking aim at North Is. fuel prices
10
Ace makes a move
12
Bodymods’ advice for customers
16
An integrated approach to batteries
20
Car News
22
Mitsubishi brings back the van
22
Navman fights back
27
Camaro vs Challenger
28
Tech talk: Installing rear seatbelts
34
Product profiles
40
Directory listing
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It seems we New Zealanders were a bit hasty in patting ourselves on the back thinking we’d shaken off Covid-19 and that we could go back to life as before. As I write this, Auckland is still in lockdown 2.0 and many businesses, whose resilience was tested before, are now being squeezed again. It appears the virus is so sneaky it’s not clear even ramped up protections will avoid another incursion, so we may have to get used to the kind of distancing practised overseas, and businesses will have to think their way through that. What is clear is that we can’t keep on going into lockdown. Business representatives are making this message clearer to government, and it appears to be gaining some ground, despite the person in the street’s appetite for splendid isolation. The end of the wage subsidy might see a different sentiment emerging. While our front page story, continued on page 4, shows the motor trade, apart from those businesses shut down in Auckland right now, are faring better than many, the disruption in production and supply chains overseas will still cause problems here for some time. But for the medium term at least, the outlook is not as gloomy as it might have been. We can be thankful for small mercies.
Ian Parkes, Editor
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Reverting to cars It seems likely that people travelling less frequently to work find it easier to justify taking a car to work on those days. Plus, paying for parking for three days instead of a potential five will also feel like a win. As a result, roads have once again filled to their natural choke point. Countless studies have shown that any capacity on the road network, as well as capacity added to ease congestion, is quickly filled — faster than natural growth in populations can account for. The biggest impact of Covid caution has been felt in public transport. While Wellington has more of a public-transport culture, Auckland Transport’s (AT) bus, train, and ferry data show the massive hit that public transport has taken in that city. From a total of 3.43 million bus journeys and 365,000 train journeys for July 2005, AT built patronage up to a combined 7.4 million bus and 2.1 million train journeys in March 2019. Add ferries and Hop card users — who provided AT’s data from 2014 onwards — registered a peak of more than 10 million journeys that month. It was still nearly nine million in November 2019. That plummeted to half a million in April. The latest figures, for July this year, show patronage had recovered to just 6.3 million — 4.7 million on buses, 1.3 on trains, and 341,000 on ferries. Auckland Transport is busy preparing strategy documents about how to reshape its services in a Covid-conscious future.
Car sales bouncing back While New Zealand has adequate stocks of second-hand cars on the yards at present, this kind of pressure, combined with interruptions to new car manufacture in plants around the world, means that it is almost inevitable that the price of second-hand cars in supply markets like Japan will increase. That trend is already being noted by buyers operating there. No doubt with the confidence of several Covidfree months to consider, and no international holiday options on the horizon, new car sales have also bounced back here ahead of other nations’ markets. While sales of passenger and commercial vehicles in the year to July inclusive are still down on a year ago at 65,800 versus 87,500 last year, sales in July this year posted a year-on-year
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increase. Passenger car and SUV sales for July 2020 were up to 8200 compared with 7925 last year and commercial vehicle sales increased to 4063 compared with 3972 in July 2019. However, any increase in second-hand car prices, combined with incomes being less secure or reduced, means that the average age of the New Zealand fleet is not likely to decrease markedly any time soon.
Warrant of Fitness failures increase The Motor Trade Association (MTA) says this and other trends are not good news for vehicle reliability or safety. The organization is pointing out that customers are relying on workshops to be extra vigilant about vehicle safety, as well as urging drivers to make sure that their vehicles are properly maintained. Recent data analysis by MTA shows that Warrant of Fitness (WOF) failure rates have reached a record high of 41 per cent. In Waikato, the failure rate is closer to 50 per cent. The main reason for failure is a problem with lights, followed by tyres, brakes, and steering. MTA members have also seen an increase in unsafe seatbelt attachments. The latest data from the Ministry of Transport show that vehicle factors contributed to around nine per cent of fatal road crashes in 2016 and 2017. This was up from around five per cent in previous years. The MTA also notes that New Zealanders are no longer the backyard tinkerers they used to be, and modern vehicles are increasingly complex, and that discourages DIY repairs. MTA research shows that New Zealand’s WOF inspection regime appears to actively encourage owners not to take responsibility for their car’s safety. Its survey shows that around 50 per cent of people surveyed have done nothing to their cars since their last WOF inspection. MTA says more must be done to raise awareness among drivers of the need, and their legal responsibility, to maintain and operate a safe vehicle. MTA is proposing this be done by adding vehicle maintenance to the driver licence test. This proposal has been supported by over two-thirds of respondents in three separate national MTA surveys.
EDITOR Ian Parkes, editor@autochannel.co.nz DESIGNER Day Barnes PHOTOGRAPHER Adam Croy MEDIA SALES Mike White, michael.white@parkside.co.nz ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Renae Fisher
AUTO CHANNEL IS PUBLISHED BY
PUBLISHER
Greg Vincent, greg.vincent@parkside.co.nz
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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 2019 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 is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,306 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops, parts importers and distributors, transmission specialists, automotive recyclers, towing operators, panel beaters and painters, crash repairers, tyre dealers, suspension and underbody repairers, steering specialists, towing operators, auto-electrical repairers, newand used-car dealers, air-conditioning repairers, heavy-machinery dealers, trucking and transport
WELCOME TO THE TEAM H O L D E N T R A D E CL U B I S N OW G M T R A D E PA R T S GM Trade Parts is the new trade-only home for Holden Genuine Parts, ACDelco and now selected Chevrolet Genuine Service Parts. GM Trade Parts offers the independent workshop, GM’s quality range of parts at competitive pricing. So if you’re servicing or repairing one of the many Holdens still on the road today, or basically any other vehicle on the road, thanks to ACDelco’s most makes and models range - then GM Trade Parts is made for you. With great member-only pricing and access to a range of exclusive offers and benefits - You’ll be glad you’re part of the team. As you’re already a Holden Trade Club Member, there is nothing you need to do - You’re now a GM Trade Parts Member. Be sure you keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest offers and deals.
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Cost-efficient 3D aligner with top-range specifications ADVANCES IN CORGHI’S SOFTWARE AND CAMERA TECHNOLOGY BRING TOPSHELF FEATURES TO ENTRY-LEVEL PRICE POINT EQUIPMENT orghi’s 3D camera Exact Linear wheel aligner features next-generation cameras with highresolution HiQ lenses. Its user-friendly, iconbased software is easy to learn and operators who use the system less frequently can access a step-bystep guide to work through the process and deliver precise and quick alignment measurements. The Exact Linear 3D system takes live chassis measurements and displays them in a graphical format, while reports can be printed in black and white or colour. The system comes complete with a world vehicle database with selectable regions, which means you always have the rest-of-the-world data available at your fingertips. It continually shows all angle values in real time, making adjustment a one-step process. For a limited time Automaster is supplying the Exact Linear’s optional Nex Remote tablet free. The unit has a dedicated APP, which is extremely user friendly; it makes all selections or readings fast, easy, and at your fingertips all the time. The tablet works as a remote control of the graphical user interface or as an additional screen,
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which makes it easy to show customers alignment readings at a safe distance from the aligner. The camera movement kit allows the operator to work from pit level to over 2m with a press on the control keyboard or on the tablet. The system comes complete with clamps for 11inch to 21-inch wheels, and clamp extensions up to 25 inches. The kit includes two turntables, steeringwheel holder, a brake-pedal depressor, a monitor, and a colour printer. See automaster.co.nz to check out the video. For more information, call 0800 214 604 or email info@automaster.co.nz.
Century Yuasa — the big name in batteries CENTURY YUASA, AUSTRALASIA’S OLDEST AND BEST RECOGNIZED BATTERY MANUFACTURER, AIMS TO OFFER THE MOST COMPLETE POWER SOLUTION entury Yuasa is an affiliate of the GS Yuasa Corporation, one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers and a leader in quality and battery innovation. Since 1928 the company has been developing the technical know-how and engineering expertise to provide the dependable quality stored energy solutions demanded in New Zealand. It provides a full spectrum of products and services, with one of the widest selections of products available in the New Zealand market, backed by some of the battery industry’s most advanced technical and R&D resources. Every battery in the Century range has been developed using advanced engineering processes to ensure superior performance and longer life. This R&D has paid off as the electrical systems of vehicles have become more complex with engine management systems that place greater demands on batteries. The comprehensive product list is matched by an extensive nationwide network of sales and service representatives, supported by a dedicated battery hotline. A fleet of 45 service vehicles provides a complete service solution, from battery delivery, stock rotation, and servicing to training, merchandising support, and technical advice.
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The Century Batteries website includes an industry-leading interactive battery finder, which finds the right batteries for all car, bus, truck, commercial, heavy equipment, motorcycle, power sports, and marine applications. Century Yuasa also supports environmental
sustainability, and its national battery recycling programme provides customer credit for used batteries. The company has partnered with the Million Metres Streams Project to restore the health of New Zealand waterways. Every battery recycled contributes to the planting of native trees along the banks of the nation’s waterways, with the objective of reducing toxic run-off and sediment washing into the water. For more details on Century Yuasa’s range of products or to become a stockist, contact your local Century Yuasa representative on 0800 93 93 93 or visit centurybatteries.co.nz.
Your complete power solutions provider P Extensive product range P Locally held stock P Service from local battery experts P Training support P National marketing campaigns
Century Batteries more than just batteries. Century Batteries is synonymous with innovation, quality and reliability throughout New Zealand, continually delivering a range of superior quality Automotive, Marine and Deep Cycle products better suited to New Zealand’s diverse climate and tough conditions. Century’s product range is further supported with an array of innovative, market leading battery testing, charging and diagnostic equipment. For more information on Century’s range of products, contact your nearest Century Batteries representative on 0800 93 93 93 or visit centurybatteries.co.nz Follow us on Facebook and Twitter CB123-2509
Refining the waste-oil process
drain directly. The suction trolley is emptied in the same way as the gravity drainer.
WASTE OIL IS A HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND REGULATORY RISK FOR WORKSHOPS. THE EFFORT YOU PUT INTO PLANNING HOW TO HANDLE IT WILL NOT BE WASTED he collection and storage of waste oil can be tricky, fraught with risk and prone to error that leads to spills and a mess of wasted effort. A host of new technologies geared to different operations is now available, streamlining the whole process. The collection process starts when waste oil is drained from any car; heavy commercial vehicle or equipment; motorcycle; or boat engine. There are a number of different waste-oil management solutions, based on the sump being drained, how the vehicle is positioned, the volume of oil being drained, and the oil’s temperature and viscosity. There are also different solutions for safely and securely transporting and transferring waste oil to storage tanks on-site, for eventual removal. Emco provides a range of methods to cover each of these waste-oil handling processes, and provides advice on which mix of solutions will work best for different situations. Emco purchases quality Italian-designed and -manufactured ready-touse equipment. It also has site engineers who will design and install complex systems when required. Options include traditional waste-oil drainers with extendable bowls, available in 65- to 115-litre capacity. These units work with vehicles drained on a hoist. They are simply rolled beneath the vehicle,
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the pole carrying the bowl is extended and fixed at the best working height to catch the oil in the generous 600mm diameter 15-litre catchment bowl, and the oil drains into the tank below. Gauges show the remaining tank capacity. When the tank is full, the trolley is simply wheeled to and connected to the bulk waste tank, where it is pressurized to push the waste oil into the waste storage tank. Positive connections, and gauges and alarms, will avoid spills in this critical process. The second option is a suction drainer, again available in 16- to 115-litre capacities. This unit has suction probes that are fed into the sump via the dipstick tube. This means that the vehicle does not need to be elevated. Connecting a standard air hose operates the vacuum system. This unit is especially good for cars, small engines, boat engines, gear boxes, and anything that is difficult to
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
The third option is the floor drainer or pit drainer, which holds from 65 to 150 litres. The floor drainer is very low to ground and wheeled under the sump, and the pit drainer rolls along the pit. A pump is required on the trolley or at the waste tank location to empty this type of drainers. The fourth option is the pantograph drainer with 65- to 115-litre capacity. It allows the drainer to be used at floor level or higher. The tray is then raised, allowing the oil to drain from the drain tray into the storage section. There are variants to any of the above models to customize to any situation.
Emco also supplies industry-standard storage tanks as well as pumps and pipework options for distance pumping. If you have a requirement to capture and store any oil products, Emco can advise and design an option to suit your needs. To discuss your requirements, please contact Emco on 07 850 5240 or email sales@emco.co.nz.
How Suzuki is coping with Covid WHILE THE MOTOR INDUSTRY APPEARS TO BE FARING BETTER THAN SOME IN THE WORLD OF COVID-19, KEEPING THE WHEELS OF BUSINESS TURNING CALLS FOR FLEXIBILITY AND CREATIVITY s this issue of Auto Channel was being put together the government announced that the Level 3 lockdown in Auckland would continue for another week. This adds millions of costs to the economy in Auckland and creates yet more disruption for businesses. The main positive from the announcement was that the government recognized that this might be slightly less disruptive than yoyoing in and out of lockdown, which could happen if the current outbreak is not quashed entirely. That’s helpful for businesses whose operations are within the country, but, for businesses with supply lines stretching overseas, such as Suzuki New Zealand’s Parts and Accessory Department, disruption is the new normal. Three months ago, we asked Suzuki New Zealand’s general manager of Parts and Accessories, Phil Cornforth, how his business was coping. We’ve gone back to Phil to see how things have shaped up since. He says procurement via air remains an issue.
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The drastic reduction in flights meant only the highest priority freight was being shipped, and, as air travel has not restarted like other parts of the economy, that is still a frustration. “While restrictions remain at the border and passenger numbers are down, there is a lack of flights coming in and when space is booked this is not a guarantee your freight will move or that all of it will make it here on the same flight,” says Phil. “We have had airfreight take some circuitous routes at high costs and sometimes it gets offloaded en route or some of it is delayed.” On a more positive note, Phil says sea freight is generally holding up and Suzuki has plenty of parts supply heading here on the water. “With people unable to travel overseas, we are certainly seeing greater domestic spending, both in new vehicle purchases, Suzuki New Zealand is seeing strong retail sales across all products, and this has led to strong accessory sales over the last few months. There has also been high demand on the servicing of vehicles,” he says. “Dealers have long booking lists for servicing. The increase in servicing levels and the potential for disruption of the supply chain from overseas sources has prompted dealers to increase their ordering on service lines. “Continuity of supply is a constant concern for importers. If the Covid threat around the world increases, it will force plant closures and delays to production,” says Phil, who believes increasing levels of the ‘second wave’ of Covid-19 overseas will also have potential to disrupt the supply chain. “Staff at some suppliers have now been working from home for five to six months, and there are
signs of some strain with material supplies and longer lead times on the odd item.” As happened last time, a spike in internet shopping will put pressure back on local distribution operators, which could flow on to affect dealers in the region who remain open with Covid-19 protocols in place. “We can see how easily local distribution can be jeopardized with the recent positive cases occurring at NZ Post's Auckland Operations Centre, resulting in an entire shift being sent home, closure to deep clean, and then distancing requirements reducing staff numbers and capacity. Covid continues to dominate our lives, yet we continue to find ways to get customers what they want,” he states. Phil says that this is the new normal; staying flexible in the face of continued uncertainty. For more information on Suzuki genuine parts, call 06 349 1222; for more on Suzuki’s GetGenuine rewards programme, see getgenuine.co.nz.
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NPD entry sure to lower North Island retail fuel prices SOUTH ISLAND FUEL RETAILER NPD IS CONFIDENT IT WILL DELIVER LOWER PRICES NORTH OF COOK STRAIT, BASED ON ITS SUCCESSFUL SOUTH ISLAND FORMULA PD is advancing plans to open new retail fuel stations in the North Island’s main centres. Its first three new North Island sites in Wiri, Palmerston North, and Hamilton are set to open before Christmas, pending Covid-19 restrictions. NPD will then roll straight on, spending $100M over the next four years setting up 32 new sites in the north. While a couple of other independents already compete with the big four multinationals in the North Island, NPD’s profile has been confined to the South Island, where it has proven its business model on 75 existing sites. NPD is still growing there too, with another 12 sites planned for the South Island over the next 12 months. While many would assume the main population centres in the North Island would be a tougher nut to crack, NPD chief executive Barry Sheridan says North Island motorists, and Aucklanders in particular, are paying too much for fuel. Sheridan has done his homework. In a report commissioned by NPD, leading economist Shamubeel Eaqub states that Auckland fuel price decreases have lagged behind the national average and many parts of the South Island. He calculates Aucklanders are paying up to $140M more for their fuel every year than they should be. Eaqub’s report states fuel-board prices have
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
fallen over the 12 months to June by a huge 40c in Christchurch but only 24c in Auckland, resulting in a national average fall of 29c. Sheridan says the price differential between Wellington and Christchurch is even higher — with Wellington motorists paying up to 26c a litre more than those in Christchurch. Sheridan says that price inertia provides an obvious opportunity for NPD and he is confident NPD’s move into the North Island will deliver lower prices. “We will bring more competitive fuel pricing to the North Island as we have in the South Island. Our data analysis clearly shows that North Island motorists are paying too much for their fuel. Normal competitive pricing behaviour appears to be lacking in the North Island fuel market. We see this as an opportunity to bring greater levels of competition and significantly lower pump prices for motorists,” he explains. NPD is not just offering lower prices. Its new high-octane performance petrol, 100Plus, is one of the highest octane road-legal petrol grades provided by an established fuel retail network in New Zealand. “Many modern cars benefit from a higher octane petrol and the special formulation in 100Plus also delivers a number of other benefits for many
NPD chief executive Barry Sheridan engines. These can include enhanced performance, improved fuel consumption, reduced emissions, and smoother engine operation,” Sheridan says. NPD is a family-owned Nelson-based fuel retailer. Previously known as ‘Nelson Petroleum Distributors’, NPD started in the 1960s as a carrier contractor for Mobil fuels and Castrol lubricants. In 1996, it became a wholesale distributor for Mobil, with 11 retail sites and two trucks. Now it is a major fuel distributor in its own right. Sheridan says NPD has retained its strong family values and built a reputation for catering to customer needs. Its profits stay in New Zealand and are reinvested in development and local jobs. NPD now employs more than 150 staff. NPD’s sites are a mix of self-serve (unmanned) stations and staffed retail outlets that incorporate NPD’s Refresh Café. While the focus is on lower prices, NPD stations offer top-shelf facilities. Even the self-serve stations offer large weatherprotective canopies, multiple pumps with spacious forecourts, and good lighting for security. They are open 24/7, supplying diesel, regular 91, and unleaded 95, with a growing number providing 100Plus. For more information, see npd.co.nz.
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Ace Auto Parts on the move THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS COMPANY WITH AN ACE UP ITS SLEEVE ce Auto Parts has carved out a niche in workshop consumables by importing most of the product it sells. Eliminating the middleman means that the team can pass savings on to its trade customers, providing a competitive edge. The Otahuhu, Auckland, company was Partzco until 2008, when Alan An and his family bought the business and renamed it ‘Ace Auto Parts’. The company is now moving into new premises next door that are twice the size of its current base. Ace specializes in quality products such as JS filtration, a Japanese OEM brand covering oil, air, cabin, fuel, and transmission products including transmission oil-pan kits. It also supplies Mannol lubricants out of Germany and S Oil from Korea, covering engine, transmission, gear, hydraulic grease, and heavy-machinery lubrication. Other ranges include Valeo bulbs, wiper blades and refills, radiator caps, thermostats, radiators and hoses, Quick Start batteries from Korea, V-belts, multi-rib belts, and timing belts. NiKB Brake components include pads from Japan. Very soon, Ace will have a disc rotor program. Alan says will happily source other service and repair consumables, and will buy in on request. Ace Auto Parts is a rapidly growing business and Alan attributes much of the company’s growth to its
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practical approach and exceptional service. “Instead of trying to stock everything, we stock the products that are needed for everyday servicing and repair, in quantities that keep our shelves and our customers’ shelves well stocked, saving time and money,” he says. Ace offers a comprehensive oil service, delivering Mannol drums and taking away the empties free. It offers pumping equipment and a 20-litre programme along with vehicle-specific OEM oils in four-litre and five-litre metal containers. Alan attributes a significant part of the company’s growth to support from Blackfern Co-
operative’s Auckland manager Tim Peters, who is constantly throwing opportunities their way within and outside the Blackfern Co-operative group. In turn, Ace refers customers to Tim, recognizing the mutual benefits for its customers, itself, and Blackfern. Buying from Ace through Blackfern, members receive double reward points ongoing. Ace has four reps covering all of Auckland and Hamilton. Sales manager Daren Yao visits Hamilton twice a week and is planning to appoint a full-time rep in the city soon. Staff include three on the counter, including the iconic Carmen Bigeni who has been in the parts industry for 30 years; two delivery people; and Alan’s wife, Fiona, who is in accounts. Always with an eye on growth, Ace is looking for additional product distributors that share the company’s passion for growth and service. For more information, contact Ace Auto Parts on 09 270 0220.
The Ace team: Tony Evans, Vijay Chawariya, Daren Yao, Michael Liu, Fiona Yao, Carmen Bigeni, Alan An, Shay Chen, Charlie Yuan, and Roy Zheng
Tackling fuel-system issues with precision MOTORSERVICE OFFERS TESTING, SPECIAL TOOLS, AND REPAIR KITS GEARED TO SPECIFIC NEEDS, MINIMIZING WASTE he clear skies seen over major urban centres during lockdown have increased the focus on cleaner vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles and hybrids take the limelight but, of course, repairing and tuning existing vehicles saves the most resources. Enter MS Motorservice International GmbH, which offers a comprehensive portfolio of highquality repair solutions. The range includes fuel pumps, pump modules, sender units, systempressure regulators, non-return valves, regeneration valves, and canister purge valves from the Pierburg brand. Motorservice stocks around 400 Pierburg fuel pumps and fuel-delivery modules used in almost every make of vehicle in its product range. Motorservice also offers solutions geared to specific repair needs. For example, if fuel delivery fails, the cause is often the fuel pump itself. Attachments such as the fluid-level sensor, flange cover, or swirl pot are usually not affected. Motorservice has a range of spare pumps, avoiding the need to buy and fit a complete fuel-delivery module. The company also supplies the corresponding fitting tool (item No. 12 00005 14 004) ensuring a reliable and quick repair. Experts recommend checking the fuel pressure and fuel flow to diagnose faults
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efficiently. Motorservice has assembled a test kit (No. 12 00003 14 900) that allows the flow rate to be measured without removal of the fuel pump. The pressure test kit makes it much easier to find blocked fuel filters, fuel filter sieves, or lines; faulty fuel-pressure regulators, fuel pumps, or fuel non-return valves; leaking fuel in-tank modules, and more. A repair kit (No. 12 00002 14 900) is also available for damaged fuel lines. It includes the most common connections for fuel filters, fuel pump connectors, and fuel pumps, as well as pipe sections and pipe connectors. Motorservice also provides fuelpump control units for modern engine management systems. Without a control unit, the fuel pump is always working at maximum performance, returning excess fuel to the fuel tank. A fuel-pump control unit uses a pulse width modulation signal (PWM signal) to regulate pump operation based on demand, resulting in significantly lower energy consumption. Motorservice sources most
of its range internally from its parent company, Rheinmetall Automotive group, which includes subsidiaries Kolbenschmidt and Pierburg, offering customers the quality and the know-how of a large international original equipment (OE) and aftermarket automotive supplier. For more information on Motorservice’s range, contact All Euro Parts on 0800 255 387 or see alleuroparts.co.nz.
PRODUCTKNOWLEDGE PIERBURG HAS BEEN A SPECIALIST FOR FUEL SUPPLY COMPONENTS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS. www.ms-motorservice.com
Advantages of Pierburg fuel pumps: • For veteran cars, classic cars and cutting-edge models • Universal fuel pumps as a replacement for mechanical fuel pumps in veteran cars which are no longer available • OE supplier with tradition • Quality & reliability • Know-how and service from an OEM
0800 255 387 I www.alleuroparts.co.nz I parts@alleuroparts.co.nz.
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X-Bar reaches further HAYMAN REESE HAS EXTENDED ITS RANGE OF X-BAR RECOVERY-RATED TOW BARS TO COVER EVEN MORE 4X4 UTES ON THE MARKET he new X-Bar ute body range from tow-bar specialist Hayman Reese has been designed specifically to fit with each vehicle’s original rear step bumper to maintain the key X-Bar advantages of recovery rating with its engineered strength on full display. It is designed to complement the efficient yet rugged looks of modern 4x4s, and the strong lines and red recovery points are a standout for serious 4WD enthusiasts. With three dedicated recovery points built in and rated up to 8000kg, the X-Bar provides a purposedesigned and rated rear recovery system that can get any vehicle out of trouble with ease. The forged ball mount, the increased thickness of the heavy-duty side plates, and the forged rated recovery points
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are made to suit the vehicle and engineered for the demands of both towing and recovery. This is the only 8000kg rated recovery tow bar on the market. The X-Bar ute incorporates a quick-release cover plate that has been specifically designed to lift and lock open when towing. This new feature provides easy access to hitch pin, shackles, and trailer plugs and pulls down for a clean look when not towing. The integrated plug mounting points are equipped to handle multiple plug configurations. The centre recovery point is easily accessed when the tow-ball mount bar itself has been removed and is perfect for rear recovery. It is suitable for single recovery straps. The two side-mounted forged recovery points are rated to 4000kg each.
They are ideal for quick attachment in any light recovery situation. The formed cross tube follows the vehicle’s lines, fitting with the body of the car. Thicker steel is equipped to handle the strength required for towing and recovery, while the forged ball mount maintains the maximum rating. The positioning allows for compliant height with most GVM (gross vehicle mass) upgrade kits. Made to Hayman Reese’s uncompromising standards, the X-Bar comes standard with Metalshield two-stage paint protection, Smartclick vehicle-specific wiring solutions, and all fasteners. Hayman Reese towing products are imported and distributed by Hayman Reese New Zealand. For more information about the new X-Bar for utes check out the dedicated product website x-bar.co.nz or, if you are looking for a quality tow-bar supplier, contact Hayman Reese direct via telephone on 0800 MY T BAR (0800 698 227) or email info@haymanreese.co.nz.
Three English wheels show that real metalwork is done here
Bodymods: new premises boosts efficiency OWNER PAUL DUFF SAYS A PASSION FOR OLD CARS IS JUST PART OF THE RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION WORKSHOP. BOTH OPERATORS AND CUSTOMERS ALSO HAVE TO FOCUS ON BUSINESS EFFICIENCY aul Duff of Hamilton’s Bodymods knows a passion for good workmanship will see a restorer and car owner off to a good start but he’s keen to ensure that customers pay as much attention to a restorer’s ability to get the work done on time and at a reasonable cost. “Who you can trust in regards to your classic car repair and restoration work then begs the question: what’s the right recipe for an efficient and reliable restoration business? The two things go hand in hand,” says Paul. When Paul was founding the business, most people assumed that he would build a shed out of town and work alone. That wasn’t for Paul. “You try and put 90kg of Buick bonnet on by yourself. If it takes you an hour to do it, who is going to pay for it?” he says. Paul’s vision from the start was to consistently turn out quality work in an achievable time frame, and have all the right workshop equipment so that good tradesmen could keep up with a solid workload. “The real dream was to do it in our own building and after 13 years that’s what we are doing,”
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Paul explains. On 31 July, the team of three, which has been together for 10 years, moved into a purposebuilt building at 125 Ingram Road, next to Hamilton’s airport. “It is perfect,” says Paul. “It is now easier to see and repair every blemish in a panel with lighting quality that we have never experienced before, and we have a beautiful new floor and yard making vehicle unloading and placement faster and safer. “We barely even considered the positive effect of being away from the hustle and bustle. Focus and consideration are essential when it comes to restoration and it’s a whole different world here. It’s surprisingly calm, which is ideal for keeping your mind on the job.” Paul says Bodymods has a high percentage of return business. “At Bodymods we pride ourselves on thorough time management and, just as important, good communication.” You won’t see an old car sitting in the corner of Bodymods covered in dust and being used as a perch for bits from other shop jobs.
“We have never worked that way and our existing client base is a testament to that. Every car is taken seriously and gets its fair share of attention. Yes, we are car lovers, but foremost we have an obligation to our vehicle owners to get the job done,” he says. Bodymods supports diversity in the car world. There is a pre-war Citroën undergoing full restoration sitting alongside a ’49 Ford getting a radical roof chop, parked next to a Pontiac GTO in for an insurance repair, lined up next to an HT Monaro sitting on an Art Morrison chassis. What they have in common is that they are all owned by good people who love their cars and want them done thoroughly. “Right from day one, we made the conscious decision to stay away from mainstream panel beating and concentrate on older cars — basically, cars with steel bumpers,” he explains. “The good news is there’s always room for more because when you keep your head down and know your craft, you’re going to get through the work.” So, how do you find a restoration workshop with the right recipe? “I recommend you do your homework, ask the right questions of the right people so you can choose the right tradespeople right from the start,” says Paul. “We encourage new customers to visit the shop so they can see work in progress and the standards we work to. It’s all well and good looking at a finished painted car, but what’s lurking under that paint? That’s where you need to look.” For more information see bodymods.co.nz or call 07849 7006.
1-30 September 2020
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Equipment Specialist Contacts: National Sales Manager National Technical & Training Manager
Kevin Odgers
027 279 1204
Bruce Francis
027 494 2802
National Diagnostics Sales Manager
Dean Guilford
027 643 1608
Equipment Spares
Scott Townsend
027 246 3640
Auckland North & Northland Nigel Toa
027 475 2224
Auckland East & South
Dave Miller
027 492 8962
Waikato & Bay of Plenty
Alan Dadswell
027 282 3966
Lower North Island
Justin Mills
027 494 7186
South Island
Brent Grindley
027 216 9173
Dunedin South
Craig Everett
17 7423 027 282
Automechanika goes digital ONLINE WORKSHOPS AND NETWORKING WITH A WHO’S WHO OF THE INDUSTRY dapting to a Covid-constrained world, Automechanika is offering new digital networking opportunities for everyone who can’t make it to Frankfurt this September. Starting on 10 September, there will be a series of online training courses for workshops available at sneak-preview.automechanika-frankfurt.com. Visitors to the website will also find updated company profiles for exhibitors, while users of the new Connect tool in the Automechanika app will be able to contact other automotive professionals directly. Thomas Fischer, Chairman of AAMPACT, the International Independent Aftermarket Association explains, “This digital alternative presents the industry with an opportunity to showcase their latest products and services, even in the year of the coronavirus, while allowing them to stay in touch with their customers. Even so, our members are very much looking forward to seeing one another in person again, and everyone has already announced that they will be back next year.” Jürgen Karpinski, President of the German Federation for Motor Trades and Repairs (ZDK): “Automechanika’s digital offensive is an excellent initiative, and I wholeheartedly support it. Training in particular is essential to our industry, and the wide range of online seminars and workshops represents
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an excellent opportunity for workshops to obtain training this year, free of charge.” ‘Collision talk’, the Automechanika Frankfurt event that draws more visitors than any other, will be held as a web TV show this year. Taking place on 10 September, the event brings together leading decision-makers from the accident-repair market and marks the start of Automechanika Frankfurt’s online event series. Collision Talk will be followed by approximately 20 free online events planned from September to November 2020 that are being organized by Automechanika in conjunction with leading trade publishers and industry partners. These include live workshops, coaching sessions, video tutorials, podcasts, and expert talks on classic car repairs, radar, and camera-based driver assistance systems for commercial vehicles, digital company workshops, accident repairs, paintwork, and finishing for repairs, bodywork dent removal techniques, joining and separation techniques, and DAT damage cost calculation and digital communication. There are also live workshops and videos on the topics of AML, the installation of auxiliary lights, ADAS
calibration, headlight adjustment, and on-board electronic diagnostics — with a reading out of the fault memory planned — as well as an exploration of hydrogen and fuel-cell technology using a Toyota Mirai as an example. The free Automechanika app allows registered users to network online. Users create their own personal profiles, listing their interests, and a filtered search function will find new and relevant business contacts and allow the user to be found by others. The chat function allows users to get into contact with other automotive professionals and providers. For more information, see: sneak-preview.automechanika-frankfurt.com facebook.com/automechanika twitter.com/automechanika_ youtube.com/MesseFfm instagram.com/automechanika_official automechanika.messefrankfurt.com.
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Autel launches new range-topping scan tools THREE NEW RANGE-TOPPING THIRD-GEN SCAN TOOLS FEATURE UPGRADED USER INTERFACE WITH TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING OF THE VEHICLE’S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM utel’s new MS919 and Ultra come with the completely new VCMI. Autel has added the ‘M’ to its Vehicle Communication Interface, standing for ‘measurement’, as the VCMI incorporates a four-channel wireless oscilloscope, multimeter, and waveform generator, making these scan tools five tools in one. They can use the OBD2 port to directly ‘scope’ the CANbus without having to back probe/ tap into any wiring, making the job both faster and non-invasive. The MaxiSys Ultra is Autel’s most ambitious diagnostics tablet to date. The MaxiFlash VCMI has Wi-Fi communication between the vehicle and tablet and supports the latest DoIP, D-PDU, and Mega CAN vehicle communication protocols. The VCMI in the Ultra and MS919 offers the most advanced approach to vehicle diagnostics. Its intelligent diagnostics feature guides the technician from code to repair to test using detailed repair information and illustrations, oscilloscope preset guides and tests, and a waveform library. All three new models feature rechargeable lithium batteries, providing up to eight hours of continuous use, and front and rear cameras. A charging docking station is also supplied exclusively with the MaxiSys Ultra. The upgraded VCI in the MS909 will handle the
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latest communication protocols, including D-PDU/ J2534/PR1210 for passenger and commercial vehicles and DoIP/CAN FD and Mega CAN Protocols, without the need for adaptors. The MS909 and MS919 both have a 10-inch tablet running Android 7.0 with a 128GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, a 16MP camera, and 15000mAh battery. The inclusion of a Chrome browser will be welcomed by existing Autel users. The Ultra features a 12.9-inch touchscreen Android-based tablet powered by an octa-core processor (2.3GHz Quad plus 1.7GHz Quad) with 256GB of built-in memory. The big screen enables
another exclusive Ultra feature — split screen. Using the split-screen function, you can carry out tests while scoping the related item, you can see technical data online while carrying out diagnostic functions, or you can check your emails while a test is running. On top of this, the Ultra has exclusive access to multiple repair guidance options for supported makes and models, including: • technical service bulletins search • DTC analysis — repair advice from OE repair library • repair assist — OE repair content library access • repair tips — MaxiFIX community user–based advice • relevant cases — OE repair history library access • VCMI component measurement — guided test plans. All three models also have access to the Autel Cloud Server for downloading Mercedes-Benz and BMW programming files for supported models. For more information, visit a Repco, Sulco, or Napa Auto Parts store near you.
Behind the lead curtain RAMCAR IS THE COMPANY BEHIND SOME OF THE BIGGEST BATTERY BRANDS ON THE MARKET. WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK here’s a confusing array of battery brands on the market, yet many brands come out of the same factories but with a niche market focus. National sales manager for Marshall Power Stephen Sylvester pulls back the curtain on one of the big manufacturers in the Southern Hemisphere, and arguably the biggest wholesaler in Australasia, Ramcar. Ramcar is a company few in New Zealand will have heard of, but it is the owner and manufacturer of Exide batteries in this part of the world, a brand that has been in New Zealand since the 1930s, Supercharge batteries — a brand launched in 1987 — and Motolite batteries, the biggest brand in the company’s home market in the Philippines. Other brands it produces include Energy Plus, Federal, AC Heavy Duty, and International. Among others it also distributes Alco, Ritar, Enirgi, Amp-tech, Rev Plus, and Simpliphi brands in New Zealand. Ramcar celebrated its 100th year in business in 2019. Stephen says Ramcar’s New Zealand channel provides a one-stop shop for resellers looking for a complete ‘stored energy’ partner. Its range of programmes means that it can tailor its service to resellers’ or workshops’ needs.
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For example, the Marshall Batteries programme offers pay-as-you-go roadside assistance that channels new customers to resellers who provide these services. The independent dealers get the benefit of large-scale nationwide brand marketing but retain their identity and control of their business. Batterymart is another long-standing programme in New Zealand which is currently being redeveloped for a relaunch before the end of the 2020. A new benefits programme also being introduced this year, The Ramcar Club, will offer dealers the chance to earn thousands of dollars’ worth of benefits each month. Stephen says the strength of Marshall Power and Ramcar lies in their comprehensive range, with ‘good, better, best’ solutions on offer across most categories. Their top-of-the-line product ranges feature new technology AP9/SNT construction, a tin alloy — replacing older additives like silver and antimony — geared to the extra performance demands of modern vehicles. It improves coldcranking amps, reserve capacity, and amp hours. Another additive called 2XT takes these gains further and improves plate strength and product life.
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
National sales manager for Marshall Power Stephen Sylvester
Ramcar’s Wagga Wagga plant
Asia’s only ISO4001 lead-recycling plant Automotive batteries have been the core of Ramcar’s business for all kinds of vehicles from golf carts to jet skis to aircraft, but Marshall Power is also seeing growth in specialized industrial and recreational applications, Stephen says. Its frontline service team has a strong reputation for quality service and expert advice. The businesses have more than 20 service trucks on the road every day, distribution and collection points in 16 North Island centres, and eight in the South Island. Stephen says the group’s growth has
prompted the move to a new distribution centre in Auckland’s Highbrook. The group sources around 80 per cent of its products from Ramcar manufacturing plants, which is backed up by products from Europe, the US, Korea, and China. It is also adding top-end lithium and solar technology from manufacturing partners in Europe, adding to its range of Asia- and USsourced lithium products. Stephen says one of the key strengths of Ramcar is that it is a vertically integrated company that doesn’t have to rely on boughtin components. Ramon Caro started out in an auto electrical workshop in 1917. The company soon moved into the battery business and later battery recycling and lead smelting to secure its raw materials, and to reduce the environmental impact of dumped batteries. It uses state-of-theart technology to produce lead of 99.97 per cent purity, and its lead smelter is both the largest in Asia and the only one to have achieved ISO14001 environmental certification. In 2012, Ramcar took over Exide’s automotive
operations in Australia and New Zealand. It has also grown through the acquisition of other wholesale operations such as Enirgi Power Storage, Independent Battery Distributors (IBD), and Lion Batteries in Australia. Ramcar has also expanded its recycling facility network with an industry-leading facility in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. “Battery recycling has always been at the core of Exide’s operation in New Zealand, and the synergies with Supercharge and Ramcar made for a good match when we merged. Care and custodianship of our environment is important to us, as it should be for all New Zealanders,� says Stephen, who was with Exide prior to the acquisition. “Ramcar has succeeded because it invests in new technology, and the whole range of stored energy solutions is developing fast right now.� For more information, contact the Ramcar team on 09 573 0065 or see superchargebatteries.co.nz, exidebatteries.co.nz, or marshallbatteries.co.nz.
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Car news
Mitsubishi moves back into the van market with brandnew Express MITSUBISHI MOTORS NEW ZEALAND IS ADDING A BRAND-NEW LIGHT COMMERCIAL MODEL TO ITS LINE-UP — THE HIGHLY SPECCED EXPRESS DELIVERY VAN even years after the simple but effective L300 ceased production, Mitsubishi is back with the all-new and larger Express, which offers a generous capacity, up to 1115kg payload, and is available in manual and auto options. The launch marks a welcome return for Mitsubishi to the van market, where the L300 had racked up 38,806 in sales between 1980 and 2015. The Express is the result of lobbying from Mitsubishi in New Zealand and Australia for a new van and comes here courtesy of alliance partner Renault. Made in Renault’s Sandouville plant, it is the first vehicle Renault has made for Mitsubishi. Reece Congdon, Mitsubishi New Zealand’s head of marketing and corporate affairs, said, “This
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highly specced van is a different proposition and a worthy successor to our popular L300 model. We strongly believe that operators looking for function and flexibility at exceptional value will welcome the opportunity to get the Express van working for their bottom line. “Dual sliding doors and a number of accessories ensure easy configuration of the Express van for different business requirements. We believe these practical features — along with a strong value proposition — will attract transport operators and delivery drivers back to Mitsubishi. Backed by our 50-strong dealer network and factory-trained technicians, we expect interest to be high,” he says.
Lightening the load Built to support delivery drivers, the Express van features a 5.2m³ cargo area accessed through the dual sliding side doors and full-width glazed rear barn doors with 85- and 160-degree stops. The rear bumper has an integrated step for easy loading and unloading. While utes are popular with tradies, the value and the extra practicality of easy access and all-weather protection offered in this new-generation van might win back those who prefer function over form. Measuring 1268mm between the wheel housings, the Express comfortably accommodates standardwidth pallets or gib sheets. The cargo area features 16 in-built cargo rings: three floor-mounted and five side-mounted on both sides. Each model has a bulkhead complete with load through flap to extend the load length. The passenger under-seat storage compartment flap can also be opened to load objects through it and up to the dash. The manual model tares at 1845kg, offering a 1115kg max payload and 2000kg braked towing capacity. The auto weighs in at 1905kg with a max payload of 1080kg and 1715kg braked towing capacity. There’s a choice of engines and transmissions; a 1.6-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, paired with a
Bluetooth and USB connection, offering handsfree telephone and music streaming. Open storage on top of the dash offers easy access to equipment, and both variants include an integrated smartphone cradle.
Safety assistance
six-speed manual transmission, delivering 103kW and 340Nm max power and torque, respectively; or the 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel with a sixspeed dual-clutch automatic transmission (6DCT), which delivers up to 125kW and 380Nm. The dual–wet clutch configuration of the 6DCT ensures a crisp and responsive drive, with lower fuel consumption and emissions. Both models share a 3098mm wheelbase
and both are front-wheel drive with a tractioncontrol mode activated by the driver to assist in low-grip conditions.
Cab comfort The Express has three seats up front, with manual height and lumbar adjustment for the driver, as well as height and reach steeringwheel adjustment. The audio unit is enabled for
Standard features include cruise control with speed limiter, stop-start with a manual off switch, and hill-start assist. Also standard are reversing sensors, anti-lock braking (ABS), electronic stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, and a reversing camera. The Express features five airbags: driver and passenger front and curtain airbags, and a driver side airbag. It also has dusk-sensing auto headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. The Express will be available in White Solid, Red Solid, Black Metallic, and Silver Metallic. Interior trim is a hard-wearing black fabric, 16-inch steel wheels are standard, and a full-size spare is stored under the cargo floor. The Express 1.6-litre model with six-speed manual transmission is priced at $40,239 plus onroad costs. The Express 2.0-litre with six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is priced at $52,990 plus on-road costs. For more information, see mmnz.co.nz or your Mitsubishi dealer.
GMSV confirmed for Australia and New Zealand GENERAL MOTORS WILL SET UP A NEW VENTURE IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND CALLED GM SPECIALTY VEHICLES (GMSV) BEGINNING IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR t will supply a selection of hand-picked GM vehicles to Australia and New Zealand customers. “This new venture directly adds sales, marketing, and aftersales roles to GM’s 200-strong presence in Australia and indirectly supports over 150 skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at our partner in Victoria,” said Kristian Aquilina, Interim Chairman and Managing Director of GM Holden The initial product line-up will include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ, the Silverado 2500, and the mid-engine Corvette in 2021, Aquilina said. The Walkinshaw organization will convert Chevrolet Silverado models at their state-of-the art facility in Melbourne. The new Corvette will come to Australia and
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New Zealand in right-hand drive directly out of the famous Bowling Green, Kentucky, Corvette plant. GMSV joins GM’s existing business units in the region: Holden Aftersales and Isuzu New Zealand. Joanne Stogiannis will lead the new venture as director GM Specialty Vehicles. She has broad sales and marketing experience with several international GM divisions and 20 years with GM Australia. “Sales of large US pickups have been growing consistently, and I believe the ongoing strength of that segment will provide a very solid basis for us to build a successful long-term business,” she says. The move will bring extra competition to niche luxury and performance segments of the car market and offer new employment opportunities. The move means GM can continue its
The next best car ever THE 1992 MCLAREN F1 WAS SOMETHING THE WORLD HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND, UNTIL GORDON MURRAY DELIVERED THE NEW T.50, MARKING HIS 50 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY, IT WAS THE ONLY CAR MADE COMPLETELY WITHOUT COMPROMISE. IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER CARS IN THE WORLD he F1 story began when Murray’s flight back from the 1988 Italian Grand Prix was delayed. He sketched his first ideas for a high-performance three-seater and persuaded Ron Dennis and McLaren management to build the finest road car yet created. From its world-first carbon-fibre tub chassis, which took 3000 man-hours to make, to its titanium subframe and magnesium alloy wheels, the F1 was designed to be as light as possible. Even the toolkit was titanium, to save weight. Its bespoke 620bhp (462kW) 6.1-litre V12 engine was developed by Paul Rosche and his team at BMW Motorsport. It had the highest specific output of its day to give the F1 a top speed of over 370kph. The engine bay featured the best heat-reflective material available: pure gold. The F1 was sculpted by designer Peter Stevens to cleave the air and yet remain stable at any speed with the aid of hidden downforce fans, doing away with ungainly wings, although an airbrake would pop up when necessary. Its unique one-plus-two seating arrangement put the driver centre stage, while still giving passengers sufficient space. With a manual gearbox, unassisted steering and brakes, and a naturally aspirated engine,
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it offered the most pure, undiluted driving experience. Seldom has a car proved to be such a wise investment. According to the Hagerty Price Guide, the car, which cost £540K new, was changing hands for just over the original asking price until 2006, but by 2008 prices had trebled, and the F1 was valued at £1.5M. In 2015, Rowan Atkinson sold his F1 for £8M, despite crashing it twice, but even that looks like a bargain today. In 2017, chassis No. 44 sold for £12.1M, while the Hagerty Price Guide now values the cars at in excess of £16M. Designer Gordon Murray may be poised to repeat that trick and create both the greatest driver’s car available, in the guise of the new T.50, and one of the most rewarding investment devices money can buy. The new Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 clearly takes its design inspiration from the F1, but Murray says the new car, which will go on sale for $4.75M, is a better car in every way. It features a bespoke 488kW 3.9-litre V12 engine designed by Cosworth that revs to 12,000rpm, weighs 60kg less than the BMW engine in the F1, and powers a car that weighs
association with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group and retain its renowned automotive engineering expertise, Ms Stogiannis said. Ryan Walkinshaw, director Walkinshaw Automotive Group also welcomed the announcement. “We’re delighted to continue our 33-year association with GM through GMSV.” He said it would secure some 150 manufacturing jobs and offer opportunities for growth. “We have always enjoyed bringing exciting products to market, and we’re excited about the ability to continue that through our partnership with GMSV,” Walkinshaw adds. Long-time auto industry executive Peter Keley spearheaded the creation of GMSV. He will leave in October but will work with Stogiannis to establish GMSV’s dealer network in Australia and New Zealand.
just 986kg. The engine has no belt-driven ancillaries to spoil its looks or rob its power. The sleek body is dominated by a large groundeffect fan, which again allows for a smooth lowprofile body. It couldn’t be hidden, as in the F1, as Murray insisted that the car needed to have decent luggage space. In streamline mode, it effectively lengthens the body to a teardrop shape. All 100 T.50s will be built in 2022. “Given the costs, this could be the last great analogue supercar,” says Murray. “I’ve driven all the latest supercars. They’re fantastic, but they don’t involve you in any way, shape, or form. Get back into an F1 and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. T.50 will do the same.” As in the F1, the T.50 will also have a six-speed manual gearbox and a central driving position. Once again, Gordon Murray has redefined the ultimate driver’s car.
Repco takes on Bathurst IN A FIVE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE VIRGIN AUSTRALIA SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP, REPCO WILL BE THE NAMING RIGHTS SPONSOR OF THE BATHURST 1000, STARTING IN 2021.IN 2018 REPCO ENTERED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHELL V-POWER RACING TEAM AND WERE LATER APPOINTED THE OFFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE RETAILER OF THE SUPERCARS SERIES. onathon Maddren, Executive General Manager (Repco NZ) says, “it’s two iconic brands in one amazing partnership. Repco has a long history in motorsport and New Zealanders have always been mesmerised by and admired this great race. The ability to support such an iconic Australasian event is an absolute privilege and an opportunity we simply couldn’t pass up.” Repco is the 11th sponsor in history to take naming rights for the flagship event. Jamie Walton, Executive General Manager Merchandise and Marketing, says Repco crew of 5000 employees across Australia and New Zealand shares the same passion for motorsport as they do for the products they sell. “Motorsport is part of Repco’s DNA. The Bathurst Sponsorship ... ensures motorsport is a significant part of our future.” Repco’s involvement in motorsport began with engine manufacturing almost 100 years ago. They partnered with Sir Jack Brabham in the 1960s with three Formula 1 Grand Prix wins in the BT19, powered by a Repco Brabham engine. In the 1970s, Repco developed and built the F5000 engine which also won races in the Australian Grand Prix, the New Zealand Grand Prix, the Australian Driver’s Championship, and the Australian Sports Car Championship, to name a few. Through the same era, a derivative of the F5000 won the Australia Touring CarChampionship, including success at Bathurst.
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Best in show not on show THE INAUGURAL CONCOURS VIRTUAL, A GLOBAL ONLINE CAR SHOW PRESENTED BY HAGERTY IN AID OF UNICEF, HAS ANNOUNCED ITS WINNING CARS IN THE BEST OF SHOW, THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE, AND THE SPECIAL AWARDS CATEGORIES udges voted the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ‘722’ into first place, followed by a Lancia concept car, and a Le Mans–winning Porsche. 722 was the car that Stirling Moss and Denis ‘Jenks’ Jenkinson drove to victory in the 1000-mile 1955 Mille Miglia road race around Italy, a win often referred to as the greatest ever single-day’s drive in motorsport history. They finished in 10 hours, seven minutes, and 48 seconds, averaging 99mph (159kph). The car is owned by the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany. The outrageous 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, created by Bertone and revealed at the 1970 Turin Motor Show, claimed second spot. This is a rarity, in that it’s a fully working concept car, and indeed the owner drives it around, entering the cockpit by lifting the windscreen to step into the futuristic cockpit. This car is owned by a private collector in the US. In third place is the 1970 Porsche 917K Salzburg car, as driven to victory by Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann in the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was a hugely significant result, being the first ever overall win at Le Mans for Porsche, which went on to win 17 more Le Mans to date. This car is owned by a private collector in the UK. There were 254 cars entered into the concours in 18 separate classes, ranging from pre-war preservation to 1980s supercars. A panel of expert judges was assigned to each class to determine Best of Class, and then these cars went through to the final round of judging. The team of more than 40 judges included rock legend Nick Mason from Pink Floyd, Olympic cyclist and UNICEF ambassador Sir Chris Hoy, five-times Le Mans winner Derek Bell, Goodwood’s Duke of Richmond, Andrea Zagato of the famous design house, Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty, classic dealer Gregor Fisken, racer Lyn St James, and Pebble Beach concours chairman Sandra Button. Each class was also open to a People’s Choice award, which went through to a People’s Choice Best of Show. The winner was an amazing 1948 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport by Figoni and Falaschi — a unique car built for zip manufacturer Mr Fayolle, often referred to as ‘the Zipper King’. The car features a chrome zip above the central cyclops headlight. Concours Virtual raised more than £30K for the UNICEF pandemic appeal, to help children affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
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Lady Susie Moss, wife of Sir Stirling, who died in April aged 90, said of the Best in Show award, “The 722 Mercedes was Stirling’s favourite car and mine as well. Stirling and I drove the car at events all over the world, and I am delighted that it has won. He would have been delighted that his favourite car has ‘won’ once again. Especially as it has helped raise money for UNICEF and will be used to help children who have been suffering due to the pandemic.” The Concours Virtual can be found at concoursvirtual.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/concoursvirtual.
People’s Choice winner: Talbot Lago T26
Best to Start a Collection With winner: Alfa Zagato
OTHER AWARDS • Most Historically Significant Car, presented by Creative Workshop • 1907 Thomas Flyer Model 35, National Automobile Museum • Most Ingenious Car, presented by Loop • 1963 Rover-BRM Gas Turbine, British Motor Museum • The Best Car to Start A Collection With, presented by Classic Trader • 1934 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Zagato Testa Fissa, Mark Gessler • The Spirit of Speed, presented by Rodin • 1960 Bluebird CN7, National Motor Museum • The Most Technologically Advanced Automobile, sponsored by BRM • 1978 JPS Team Lotus 79/3, Classic Team Lotus • The Sports Car Market Choice, presented by Sports Car Market magazine • 1967 Ford GT Mk IV, The Henry Ford
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Holden test track sold
Virtual car purchases forge ahead CAR DEALERS ARE ADOPTING NEW TECH ‘VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS’ TO PURCHASE CARS REMOTELY ealers overseas, and some in New Zealand, are now offering ‘virtual appointments’ to look over cars in their showrooms or on their car lots. Buyers can contact the dealership and either look at a static walkaround of a car, which works the same way as Google Street View, allowing you to slide around the car, and see it with doors, bonnet and boot open or closed. Or the more sophisticated version gives customers a live view, where someone at the dealership walks around with a camera, and can answer questions, or even load in luggage like golf clubs. Renault New Zealand offers this service. The biggest US online car sales platform says nearly half of the dealers that it works with have adopted some form of contactless service since April. It is also the fastest growing car sales platform in the UK, and its contactless offerings there have enjoyed a swift uptake, with 43 per cent of paying dealers now offering one or more of them. Thirty-two per cent of them are offering virtual appointments. These technologies allow dealers to continue marketing their cars and completing sales processes, even during lockdown. Also taking off is contactless purchasing,
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Satnav safety ere’s a tip for how to use an add-on satnav safely. Breakdown organization GEM Motoring Assist says poor positioning of satnav devices on car windscreens poses a threat to road safety, by blocking vision though a large part of the screen, especially on left-hand bends and at junctions. GEM chief executive Neil Worth says the safest place for a satnav is low down on the windscreen and to the far right. If this is not possible, then use the centre of the windscreen, but position it as low down as possible. Avoid fitting the satnav in the middle or high up on the windscreen.
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which enables buyers to either pay for or finance a vehicle remotely. Any necessary physical paperwork is delivered to them at home. It is being offered on nearly half of all vehicles on the UK platform. Dealers are also using WhatsApp. As well as delivering faster responses to enquiries, it also allows car buyers to interact with sales teams on a messaging platform that they are already comfortable with. The latest CarGurus survey of 1104 UK car buyers showed that the number of car buyers open to purchasing a car online had almost doubled to 61 per cent, from 33 per cent previously. More significantly, 33 per cent were not just open to an online transaction but actually preferred it. For those willing to visit dealerships, areas such as hygiene and adhering to social distancing were extremely important. However, most current prospective buyers (76 per cent) would now prefer to shop from home and make use of contactless buying tools. CarGurus’ vice president of European sales, Wendy Harris, said that just a year ago the concept of booking a virtual appointment at a car dealership would have seemed far-fetched, yet today nearly a third of all paying dealers on CarGurus UK had taken up this technology and were offering it to prospective buyers. Other contactless services include private dealership appointments designed to preserve social distancing; vehicles delivered to customers’ homes for test drives; contactless purchases, paying for or financing a vehicle by phone or email and free home drop-off — if a shopper is ready to buy, they’ll receive the paperwork and vehicle delivered to their home free of charge.
VIETNAMESE CAR COMPANY VINFAST APPEARS TO HAVE BOUGHT HOLDEN’S TEST VICTORIA TRACK, WHILE A LOCAL GREEN GROUP IS CONTINUING TO LOBBY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF MORE THAN HALF OF THE SITE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION he iconic Holden test track on the south-eastern outskirts of Melbourne is being sold after General Motors axed the Holden brand. The Save the Holden Bushlands Group wants the new owners of the facility to be compelled to preserve the bush-clad eastern half of the 877-hectare site, which has been left largely untouched by Holden since it acquired the property in 1957, as a vital native species corridor. Vinfast — owned by one of Vietnam’s richest men, billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong — is believed to have outbidded other candidates, including transport magnate Lindsay Fox, who also owns the vast Anglesea vehicle testing facility south-west of Geelong. Vinfast, which makes and markets superseded BMW models, expects to distribute Chevrolet models in Vietnam, and is due to take ownership of a former GM factory in South Korea. It has also been hiring dozens of former engineers in Australia from Ford, Toyota, and Holden. Although the vehicles will be manufactured in Vietnam, they will be engineered, tested, and developed in Australia. The Save the Holden Bushlands Group had been lobbying for the local council and the state government to buy and protect the site for endangered species including the southern brown bandicoot, long-nosed bandicoot, swift parrot, powerful owl, swamp skink, growling grass frog, and native plant species. The sale went through before specific protections could be put in place or a local authority purchase was arranged, but a spokesperson for the Save the Holden Bushlands Group hoped to work with the new owners to save “1200 to 1300 of the 2100 acres” for wildlife.
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Navman fights back against mobile phone auto apps NAVMAN AIMS TO WIN BACK A SLICE OF THE IN-CAR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS SPACE CLAIMED BY APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO BY OFFERING A DEVICE THAT DELIVERS THAT NEW-CAR TECH TO DRIVERS OF OLDER CARS. he Kiwi-born brand is launching a multi-tasking hero device that it hopes will give modern drivers everything they need and more. With the coronavirus ruling public transport out for many in Australia, used car sales are spiking there, plus there are more delivery vehicles on the road than ever, which Navman sees as a new opportunity. More people are also looking for protection and proof in the event of an accident. Apparently, one in five Australians regularly uses a dash-cam, and one in three Australians has used footage captured by a dash-cam as evidence after being wrongly accused
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in a road accident. Others use it to report reckless driving or assist in insurance claims. Enter the slimline MiCam, a satellite-navigation system and dash-cam that can pair to your phone via Bluetooth, offering many of the technologies missing from older vehicles. It can read text messages aloud, monitor your speed in relation to the signposted limit, log workrelated driving hours for tax returns, and export this all to your computer as a spreadsheet. It also claims to be the first dash-cam capable of recording in full HD 1080p. The two notable omissions are voice-control capabilities and a dash-cam parked mode to capture any incidents that occur when the car is left unattended. They should be on the next version.
For A$369, the MiCam GPS boasts a 5.0-inch screen. As Navman is keen to point out, it has the added bonuses of not losing reception in a tunnel, or earning you a fine if you’re caught using it. It’s one of a range of new Navman devices that give buyers new-car technology without having to buy a new car.
Paying attention to tyres AS THE BORDERS REMAIN SHUT, MORE PEOPLE WILL HOLIDAY AT HOME THIS YEAR, PUTTING MORE MILES ON MORE TYRES his year is already the year of the ‘staycation’, and as foreign holidays will be off the agenda for a while yet, it’s probable that more Kiwis will be on the road this summer. Longer trips on the open road increase the chance of tyre-related incidents, making those incidents more prevalent over summer than at any other time of the year. And the extra traffic from Kiwis seeing the country — as well as the extension to Warrant of Fitness–check intervals — means that it is much more probably that more tyres will be running out of road this year. As few motorists check their own tyres, relying on the Warrant of Fitness checks to pick up any faults — and, in fact, often use a ‘fail’ as their only trigger to get new tyres — good vehicle service operators will be on the alert to save these drivers from themselves. Remember to take a look at the spare wheel, if indeed the car has one. Space-saver tyres, by their nature, will often sit unchecked in a car for years. Remember, too, that tyres tend to deteriorate more quickly when unused for extended periods, so those parked up in the sun over the long lockdown might have acquired cracks or experienced other ageing effects. Invest in an accurate tyre-pressure gauge.
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Also remind owners that car manufacturers often recommend different pressures for light loads and when the vehicle is fully laden. These settings can be found in the vehicle handbook, but some owners will be unaware that they are often handily displayed in the vehicle’s fuel-filler flap or inside the door jamb. Checking overall condition is equally important by eye and by feel, especially the inside sidewalls. If there are any objects embedded in the tyres or bulges, the owner needs to take action. Of course, you also need to check that the tread depth is 1.5mm or greater across the face of the tyre. So carry a proper tread-depth gauge. Advise owners they can carry out their own quick check sitting a 20c coin in the groove. If the 20 is visible, they have less than 2mm of tread depth. Alternatively, look for the tyre-wear indicator — marked by ‘TWI’ on the side of all modern tyres — which is a raised bar across the width of the tread. If this bar is at the surface, that is, if there is no tread depth here, the tyre is at or past its wear limit. So have a conversation with your customer, and ask if they are taking their families on what could be the longest car trip in several years this summer. A five-minute check will show your customer that you really care.
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Mr and Mrs Quick IT TURNS OUT THE QUICKEST LATE-MODEL AMERICAN STREET CAR IN THE COUNTRY IS IN VERY GOOD COMPANY, ALL 707HP (527KW) OF IT! WORDS: TODD WYLIE PHOTOS: STRONG STYLE PHOTO f you’ve been to Meremere Dragway over the last 35 years, there’s a good chance you will have heard the name Justin Weir blasting through the PA speakers. The quarter-mile strip of tarmac at this iconic venue is one he knows well, having launched various different cars towards the gravel trap at the far end with almost monotonous regularity. While the vehicles he’s competed in may be quite different from one another in the way they make their power, the performance has always been similar; 10-second passes, give or take. Having successfully campaigned a nine-second street-legal, second-generation Camaro, Justin’s ears pricked up when he learnt of impending rule changes that meant late-model vehicles (2008 or newer) no longer required roll cages to run 10-second passes. As late-model cars packed full of technology are more
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
The fix for the fuelling issues came in the form of 1050cc Injector Dynamics injectors along with a DSX auxiliary flex-fuel system his thing than carbs and distributors, he decided the new ruling meant that now he could own a car that was nice enough to drive to work in traffic but would still be able to perform on the strip. Best of all, going modern meant that his weekends would be free of maintenance, allowing for many more days and nights to be spent at the strip.
The logical option for Justin was to replace the old Camaro with a late-model ZL1, which would offer neck-snapping performance right off the showroom floor. An even better option presented itself when he found a 2012 ZL1 in Tennessee that wasn’t as the factory had left it, having already been tuned to create even more ridiculous power levels. Chucks Restoration Supplies took care of the freight side of things, and compliance was a breeze, although Justin’s been around long enough to know that the best thing to do with a tuned car is to get it onto a dyno and check the tune. After all, the last thing he wanted was to go blowing holes in pistons due to our different fuels on this side of the globe. It was money well spent too, as he states: “we ran the car up on the dyno at Protune to make sure it was safe to race, and, sure enough, it was rubbish. It was running lean and detonating thanks to the now-out-of-business Aspire Tuning in Texas”. Thankfully, he hadn’t decided to take it straight to the strip, as tempting as that might have been. The fix for the fuelling issues came in the form of 1050cc Injector Dynamics injectors along with a DSX auxiliary flex-fuel system that allows for the vehicle to be run on E85, or a blend of traditional pump gas and E85. A retune of the stock ECU with these new goodies fitted resulted in an impressive 710hp (529kW) at the wheels. Next stop, Meremere Dragway. With a set of 285-wide MT Drag Radials, the car ran a 10.9 on its second pass, making it the
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10.5, followed by a 10.4,” he says. While that would be enough for most people, Justin Weir isn’t like most people … he needed more — a Nitrous Outlet nitrous kit with micro-switch activation was the answer. This, installed by Nxt Lvl along with even larger 1300cc Injector Dynamics injectors, saw the car create an impressive 870hp (649kW) at the treads, or 765hp (570kW) without the black bottle. The timeslips tell the true story though, and the 10.3-second pass without nitrous showed a high nine was likely with it turned on. “It spun through first gear but goal achieved — the trap speed shows the car can run quicker, but after having my hand slapped for running a nine-second pass without a cage, it’s time to reassess my options,” Justin tells
first modern car into the Father’s Day Drags Top 8 American Shootout. One goal achieved, and now with that timeslip safely in hand, it was time to start pushing the Camaro to see how fast it could really go. Well, that was the plan at least, but an oil-pressure warning light after the third pass put an end to that. On the plus side, Justin’s wife Lisa, who’s equally as addicted to high horsepower cars, made it through to the shootout in her 2017 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Not only did that make her the first female in the Top 8 American Shootout, but the second-ever late-model car in there as well. With so many cars in the shootout having engines built by Reece Fish at FFR Engines, Justin got talking to him, and a rebuild was commissioned on the spot. Since ripping the heart out of a late-model car can be a scary proposition, Justin decided that it was best left to someone he could trust — that someone was Mike Bari of Nxt Lvl Automotive. Mike made quick work of it too, and, within a day, the engine was sitting at FFR ready for the rebuild to begin. Wanting to get involved himself, Justin stripped the engine down under Reece’s watchful eye, and, as expected, a few bearings had been pushed out, among other signs
of detonation. Thankfully, none of it was done here, and unless Justin had headed stateside and had the engine apart, there really was no way of knowing. The silver lining, of course, was that the rebuild allowed the engine to be pieced together even tougher than before. A set of Diamond pistons and Eagle rods attached to the stock forged crank were just the starting point. The whole assembly was pieced together with ARP fasteners and included a Mellings oil pump and Innovations West SFI balancer. Up top, the factory LSA heads were CNC ported and filled with Rev valves, springs and retainers, with Yella Terra roller rockers slotted in for good measure. Interestingly, Cadillac LSA-sourced lifters were deemed up to the task, as was the stock throttle body. Then again, the supercharger itself was also left untouched from how the factory built it, although it does now run an aftermarket Metco pulley kit for added boost. Thanks to a previous fuel system upgrade with the low-side auxiliary pump, the remainder of the fuel system was deemed up to the task for the new performance levels expected. Justin couldn’t be happier with the engine build. “Being an FFR engine, it was basically ready to race straight away and the first pass netted a
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Engine: 6.2-litre LSA, stock block, factory forged crankshaft, Diamond pistons, Eagle rods, ARP fasteners, Mellings oil pump, Innovations West SFI balancer, CNC-ported factory LSA heads, Rev valves, Rev springs and retainers, Yella Terra roller rockers, ARP stud kit, custom FFR roller cam, Cadillac lifters, factory throttle body, Roto-fab coldair intake, factory LSA supercharger, Metco pulleys, aftermarket water–air intercooler and pump, Roto-fab reservoir, Nitrous Outlet single fogger system, factory LSA in-tank fuel pump, DSX low-side auxiliary pump, DSX Flex Fuel, Injector Dynamics 1300cc injectors, factory AC Delco coils and leads, Kooks headers, twin three-inch exhaust Driveline: Factory 6L90E transmission, factory 9.9-inch diff Suspension: Stock magnetic-ride suspension, stock springs Brakes: Factory Brembo discs and calipers Wheels/Tyres: 20x10- and 20x11-inch ZL1 wheels, 285/35R20 and 305/40R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 2 tyres Exterior: Factory optional stripes Interior: Stock, Dashlogic OBDII display Performance: 870hp (649kW) at the wheels, 9.9s at 139.45mph (224.41kph) Driver: Justin Weir Car Club: American Renegade Age: 55 Occupation: Manager Vehicle Storage and Transport Previously owned cars: Mustangs, Camaros, Trans Ams, GTRs, Supras, Chevelles Dream car: Seven-second ZL1 Why the ZL1? To have the first modern American muscle car in the nines Build time: Six months Length of ownership: Two years Justin thanks: Lisa Weir, Iain at Autolign Mount Wellington, Reece at FFR Engines, Shane at 1st Auto Parts, Wayne at Protune, Mike at Nxt Lvl Automotive, Craig at Wall Motors, and Carl at C & M Performance
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
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us. Fair enough too, as the car is still, for all intents and purposes, just as driveable as it was before it was modified — the couple even drove it from Auckland to Taupo over the Christmas period, raced at Taupo Motorsport Park running a string of 10.7-second passes on the slippery track, and drove home again trouble-free. You’d think with all the time being spent racing the Camaro, Lisa’s Hellcat might have been forgotten, but that’s not the case at all. The pair have intentionally decided to leave that car stock. Keeping in mind ‘stock’ for a Hellcat is still a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi that produces 707hp (527kW), and we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s not all bad. Following the 11.0-second pass at the Father’s Day Drags in 2018, a set of drag radials was fitted when required, and a K&N filter has been added to assist with the car’s breathing. The result is a PB of 10.76 seconds at 126.45mph (203.5kph) — in a car that they can jump in and drive any day of the week without fear of issues. Justin sums up the
late-model Mopar scene well by saying: “We now live in a new era of modern muscle cars with more power than ever before. Some more than double the horsepower of their predecessors. Sure, we could buy a Demon, but for an extra $130K is it worth it? Hell no. A Redeye? Still $60K more
A Hellcat is still a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi that produces 707hp (527kW), and we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s not all bad expensive. We could spend $10K on this and it would destroy them. So, it’s a very good bang-forbuck car. We get to use it as a daily when we want, take it all over the country, circuit and drag race it on a regular basis. It’s the perfect all-rounder”.
Coming from someone who’s been racing for the last 35 years in a variety of high-performance machines, we’d believe it.
2017 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Engine: 6.2-litre Hemi, factory forged internals, K&N filter, factory supercharger, factory intercooler Driveline: TorqueFlite eight-speed trans, 2.62:1 diff ratio, limited-slip head Suspension: Factory SRT Bilstein three-way adaptive suspension Brakes: Factory Brembo discs and calipers, Power Stop Z23 pads Wheels/Tyres: Stock 20x9.5-inch wheels, 275/40R20 and 275/40R20 Pirelli P Zero tyres Exterior: Aftermarket Hellcat decals, satin black hood option Interior: Stock Performance: 707hp (527kW), 10.76 at 126.45mph (203.5kph) Driver: Lisa Weir Car Club: American Renegade & Dodge Challenger Owners New Zealand Age: 53 Occupation: Refrigeration fit-out manager Previously owned cars: 1966 Mustang, 2005 Mustang GT (supercharged), 1981 Camaro Z28 (supercharged) Dream car: Aston Martin DB9 Why the Hellcat? It was plan B when a 2013 Shelby GT500 deal fell through, a blessing really. You don’t get heated and air-conditioned seats in a Shelby or 10-second quarters Build time: NA Length of ownership: 1.5 years Lisa thanks: Iain Wilson at Autolign Mount Wellington
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
The belts There are various standards that seatbelts fitted to vehicles in New Zealand can meet, the most common ones being the American FMVSS standard or European ECE standard. There are a number of seatbelt specialists throughout the country that are able to supply (and install, if needed) a wide range of compliant seatbelt options. The belts installed here though were imported from a US website, chosen as they not only meet FMVSS standards, but they feature retractors that work on both a horizontal or vertical mounting angle and have a retro ‘aeroplane-style’ buckle to match the previously-installed front lap belts.
Step-by-step
Make it click OWNING A CLASSIC CAR IS COOL, BUT MAKING IT SAFER TO USE IS EVEN BETTER! HERE’S A STEP-BY-STEP TO INSTALLING REAR SEATBELTS IN YOUR CLASSIC wners of old or modified cars are an interesting bunch. On one hand, they’re keen to add big engines, superchargers, fancy wheels, and custom paint, and on the other, many don’t want to fit seatbelts as it ‘ruins the look’ or ‘is too much work’. We can bet those people would change their tune if they spent a bit of time with the Police Serious Crash Unit (SCU), or even investigated the outcome of some low-speed crashes with no seatbelts or lap-only belts. We’ve personally been on the receiving end of some ‘show and tell’ from the SCU, and it’s pretty scary stuff. Crashes that you’d assume the occupants walked away from, or, at worst, be taken away in an ambulance, were fatalities. The more you learn, the worse it gets. The New Zealand Land Transport Rule specifies that cars built after 1955 require lap belts for front-seat passengers, although rear seat belts are not required to be fitted on vehicles built prior to 1979. Luckily, thanks to the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA), there are simple, approved ways to install belts into most vehicles that were not factory fitted with them, even if that may inconvenience owners of some vehicles who believe looking cool is more important than life itself. The vehicle that we’ll use for our step-by-step installation of rear belts has previously been fitted with two sets of lap belts front and rear. The rear lap
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
belts were installed to allow for a baby’s capsule and small-harness-type child’s seat to be fitted. That worked well until the child outgrew the harnessstyle seat, and a safer solution was required. The way forward was to install lap and diagonal belts in the rear, not just in the outer seating positions but a third belt in the centre also.
1. Having assessed where the RHS would go, the first step (after stripping out the majority of the car’s audio system) was to remove the trim and deadening material on any areas that would be welded to. Most of this was achieved simply through scraping the deadening with a chisel before wiping it down with thinners in an attempt to dissolve whatever couldn’t be scraped.
Requirements Every make and model of vehicle is different in its design and construction, so will require a different solution, and what you see here is just one of many possible ways to go about the installation process. This set-up can be adapted to suit many different vehicles and gives a good indication of what’s involved in the installation process and what’s needed in order to meet the Low Volume Vehicle (LVV) Certification requirements. Before the installation took place, a discussion was had with the LVV Certifier who would be certifying it on completion, to ensure that the installer and certifier were on the same page. If you’re unable to discuss with your certifier, you can find plenty of information in The New Zealand Car Construction Manual, or in the LVV Seatbelt Anchorages Standard, which is available free of charge on the LVVTA’s website.
Design
2. While a section of 90-degree angle iron (L-shaped, as opposed to hollow square), may have provided an acceptable amount of strength, RHS was chosen for this installation, in part due to the fabricator (Sheldon Currington from Bad Seed) being able to get the RHS rolled to the exact curve of the parcel tray, and in part to ensure that the installation was stronger than required. Rather than create templates for the curve of the RHS, the factory strip that mounts across the front edge of the parcel tray was supplied as a template, and the result was perfect.
The underlying principle of the installation is that suitable strength must be added for the upper anchorages (behind the passenger’s shoulders). As upper anchorages need to be able to withstand a load of approximately 20G during a crash, adding suitable structure is no small task, but one that could be achieved by fitting a section of 3mm thick 50x50mm rectangular hollow section (RHS) under the parcel tray. The simplest way to fit belts to this would be to use static (non-retractable) versions or to use belts where the retractor sits atop the parcel tray under unsightly plastic covers. The vehicle owners wouldn’t accept either of these options though, instead opting for the more labourintensive option of installing retractable belts and hiding the retractors down inside the boot area.
3. Careful measurements were taken before the bar was cut to length and clamped to the parcel tray to fit. Note the speaker holes that had been cut into the parcel tray at various times during the car’s history. While they reduce the strength of the tray, they ironically came in handy later in the installation process.
4. The downside of running RHS instead of angle iron is ensuring the nuts that the upper anchorages would bolt to were permanently attached. Not only would this make belt removal and installation of the belts easier when needed, it’s actually a legal requirement that the mounts remain in place if the belts are removed. For this, once holes had been drilled in the top of the RHS in the location of all three upper anchorages, secondary holes were drilled on the side of the RHS too. Nuts were then slipped inside the tube, and held in place by bolts while being welded in place. The upper anchorage positions were not selected scientifically — the outers were simply pushed as far towards the outside edge of the parcel tray as practicable, to ensure that the belts would not rub across the necks of passengers. The position of the central belt was then decided by eye, as being a position that would give all three passengers enough space. LVVTA’s Seatbelt Anchorage Standard does have minimum and maximum widths for seating positions which also need to be met.
6. Before the bar could be welded in place, slots were cut where each belt would pass through the parcel tray. With a rear windscreen not far above, cutting the parcel tray wasn’t the most pleasant of tasks. Thankfully, the usual slot-cutting method of drilling the ends of the slot then joining the gaps with an air-powered hacksaw worked without issue, or broken windscreen.
10. A length of 3mm thick, 80mm wide steel strap was sourced to be used to brace the bar back down to the wheel arches on a 45-degree angle. This is the approximate angle that the belts would pull on during a crash, and is where the majority of the strength comes from, as for the bar to move, it would need to pull the wheel arches up with it.
7. The holes must be large enough, and correctly positioned, to ensure that the belts do not come into contact with the metal. A quick test fit shows that the theory works.
11. Here you can see here the area that was cleaned up for welding right at the start of the process and the holes that have been drilled in the steel strap, which will be plug welded.
8. Finally, the bar could be welded into place through a series of holes drilled into the parcel tray. Remember how we said the speaker holes would come in handy too? They provided a large edge to weld to, greatly increasing the overall weld area.
12. Check out those welds! While a seatbelt installation such as this isn’t required to be TIG welded, TIG offers the benefit of less potential damage to surrounding areas, which, in this instance, included not just the interior of the vehicle but the rear windscreen too. 5. Since we had an LVV Certifier on hand, we figured we’d throw him in to test the fit … and get him to make sure that he was happy with the proposed location of the bar, now that it was mocked up. The large ‘penny washers’ that were supplied with the seatbelts came in handy to hold the bar in place for this, and for while it was welded in. Although penny washers are used as seatbelt anchorages in some countries, they are not permitted in New Zealand, where doubler plates are required (see box on page 37).
9. The ends of the bar could then be welded to the structure above each wheel arch — not the easiest place to access with a TIG torch, but a far more structural part of the vehicle than the tray itself.
13. Even with TIG, it pays to have a spotter under the car when welding to areas like the wheel arches!
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14. Although it’s hard to see here, the curved RHS fits perfectly to the shape of the parcel tray and is now held in place securely. Since we had more strap left over, and to ensure that the set-up was overkill when it came to meeting the certifier’s requirements, an additional brace was stitched to the centre of the bar back to the structure just below the rear windscreen.
19. Locations for the retractor mechanisms are critical, as they must not cause the belts to twist excessively, and must also to ensure that the belts do not rub on any parts of the vehicle structure. Here, Sheldon mocks up where the centre retractor will sit, which is in a cavity behind the seat cushion. Mounting the retractor here allowed for it to be attached to the floor of the vehicle, rather than to the flimsy cosmetic tray slightly above it. 15. To seal the areas that had been taken back to bare metal for welding, a coat of chassis black was applied using a brush, to stop them from potentially rusting in the future. 16. With the upper anchorages completed, it was time to move to the lower anchorages. In theory, we could use the four existing lower anchorages and just add the two new ones needed for the centre belt. That wasn’t the case, though, as they had been installed over Dynamat — which is a compressible material. The LVV Seatbelt Anchorages Standard clearly states that this is not acceptable. Worse still, the side of the plate that is on the underside of the vehicle was also over a compressible underseal. When fitting doubler plates, the key is to try to find an area that allows them to sit flat against the body on the inside and out.
17. Once the position of the new lower anchorages was confirmed, an 11mm hole was drilled in the position where the 3⁄8-inch seatbelt bolt will end up. 18. To attach the doubler plates to the car, the flat plate inside the vehicle was positioned correctly before holes were drilled for the rivets. Once drilled, the two sections of the plate (nut section under the vehicle, and flat section inside the vehicle) were clamped together using a seatbelt bolt, then, while bolted in place, riveted with Monel (high-strength) rivets. Once riveted, the bolts can be removed until it’s time to fit the belts. 20. To attach the retractor to the doubler plate, an L-bracket (available from any seatbelt specialist) was used. It’s critical when adding a retractor to an L-bracket that the centre of the retractor is positioned in the direction of the pull, as opposed to being offset as shown in the photo on the right, which is an easy mistake to make.
21. The other thing that’s easy to get wrong is that the doubler plates must be fitted with highstrength rivets, or 5mm bolts. Standard rivets are not permitted, as although they do hold the doubler plates in position, the grip strength offered by a high-strength, or Monel, rivet is substantially higher (check the LVV Seatbelt Standard for the full specs).
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
22. Before fitting the belts, the holes in the parcel tray were finished with a rubber edge — not that the belts rubbed against the metal but just to make sure that they’re not chaffed if they ever do.
25. To ensure that the underside of the doubler plates for the previous lap-belt installation could be remounted against the steel of the floor, the underseal was removed. Again, a chisel made short work of chipping off the 50-year-old material. The rivets hanging through were to ensure that when the plate was in the correct position enough underseal was removed. 26. The retractor units for the outer positions were attached to the inner wheel arches via more doubler plates, while the lower inner anchorages for them were remounted onto a flatter section of the floor. The new position is right next to
the just-installed anchorages for the centre belt, which is permitted by the LVV Seatbelt Anchorages Standard. 27. There you have it, three lap and diagonal seatbelts, complete with retracting belts and retro-style clasps. All up, including labour, belts, steel strap, RHS, rivets, doubler plates, and bolts, the cost came in close to $2K, plus the cost of LVV Certification. Obviously, if you’re doing the welding work yourself, that cost would be significantly lower. One of the many things learnt during this install is just how much easier it would have been to do it during the initial build of the vehicle, before any insulation had been installed, and before the windscreens had been fitted. The original rear speakers now no longer fit, as the magnets hit the RHS, so a new slightly raised parcel tray will also be required. Although, completing this installation during Level 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown meant that some empty speaker grills were fitted for the time being, just to complete the look.
23. As a trimmed parcel tray sits atop the metal, seatbelt-specific shanked bolts were needed to attach the upper anchorages securely and ensure that they can still swivel as required.
24. Finally, the central belt is completed. Note that the lower inner anchorages for the (yet to be fitted) outer belts, actually cross over with the central belt. This is to ensure that all three belts meet the anchorage positioning requirements.
What’s a ‘doubler plate’? A ‘doubler plate’ is an approved off-the-shelf mounting-plate system that allows seatbelt anchorages to be secured to sheet-metal parts of a vehicle. There are specific requirements for the plate’s thickness and minimum sizes they must meet (all outlined in the LVV Seat Belt Anchorages Standard). The flat plate sits inside the vehicle, while the section with the nut sits under the vehicle, and both sections are riveted together using Monel rivets or bolted using 5mm bolts. Doubler plates must not be welded to the body due to the effect that welding heat can have on the strength of sheet metal. Doubler plates can be purchased through seatbelt specialist businesses, some compliance centres, and some chain parts-supply stores for around $10–$15 per pair.
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Recruiting and retaining talent IF WORKSHOPS ARE GOING TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GOOD STAFF, THEY NEED TO KEEP THEIR EYE ON THE PRIZE AND INVEST IN TRAINING
W
orkshop owners realize that their pay rates must move higher if they are going to retain competent technicians. This means
that customers must be educated about the realities of this issue, but there are several steps to put in place for this all to work. First, and most important, workshops must be set up right to succeed. They cannot expect to command higher rates if their staff are not properly trained to execute all services accurately, professionally, and efficiently for the price being demanded from the customer. The following article, from US-based industry commentator Robert Greenwood, highlights how a short-term focus on price is undermining quality and a fair reward for skill in the US, an insight that is just as relevant here. A comment that comes up frequently now, however, is, “Where can I get competent technical training?” Everyone in this industry must take some of the responsibility for the scarcity of highly proficient staff that trainers are drawn from. Everyone for the past 20 years — or, quite frankly, forever — has been running their training based on price. Everyone wanted the very best quality training, but the greater majority were not willing to pay for it, which means this industry has lost some fantastic trainers. The best trainers are exceptional people – very personable, highly skilled, and always a step ahead of their students. However, a price-driven approach to training means these people will often find better rewards outside of our industry.
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
Appreciating skill While the motoring public does not often appreciate the skill required today to become and remain a competent technician, it is equally true that many in our industry do not appreciate the skill level and commitment required to be a competent technical trainer. We must get off this issue of price, price, price on everything we do. We are in the knowledge business, and knowledge is the key to survival today and tomorrow. To receive the knowledge we need from highly skilled technical trainers is truly an investment in the business, not an expense. Most businesses will recoup that investment within 30 to 45 working days, so why do we then complain about paying the money they ask for? If they are the best, pay them, or you will lose them — the choice is yours. Answer these questions honestly. Would you take the time to become a competent trainer for this industry today? Would you take the time to learn the skills they have, including the skill required to deliver that knowledge in a way that students actually enjoy the experience and look forward to the next course? Would you take the time to stay on top of your technical skill level in the fast-paced technology changes we are seeing to stay one step, if not two, ahead of your students? Would you do all that at the current industry’s pay level? We seem to treat these people as if we don’t think they deserve a professional income. Everyone must wake up to reality here and treat and pay the technical trainers left in this industry what they deserve to keep them around
and attract new ones. When you think about it, a competent trainer, who is capable of staying ahead of these competent technicians and motivating them to achieve more, has to be worth a premium over those top technicians, but neither are close to the pay levels they deserve because we say we can’t afford it.
Breaking the cycle The real problem is that businesses are always trying to pay for training out of current cash on hand. So, when cash is tight, workshops say they cannot afford training. The second problem is that management does not have a close enough relationship with its clients, so it is not willing to educate clients on the real costs of this business today. As a result, they never charge the labour rates needed to recover these costs. This has compounded itself over the past five years. It is time to get off the price issue and realize the fantastic return on this investment you get when you implement the knowledge taught. Everyone must work hard to retain the competent technical trainers left within our industry. So start to get your financial house in order; write the check; attend their classes, wherever they may be; become a sponge and absorb the knowledge they are willing to share with you; and become competent and the very best that you can be. Then move your labour rates to the level of your competency. Make the investment; reap the rewards. Remember, in business today, the main cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want at the moment.
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Best test for fuel faults This fuel-pressure test kit measures fuel pressure and flow rate without the need to dismantle the fuel pump. All common fuel delivery systems — common rail, pump-nozzle injector, distributor pumps, and diesel inline pump systems with and without return side up to 8bar (120psi) pressure — can be checked for faults using this fuel pressure test kit. For more information on Motorservice’s range, contact All Euro Parts on 0800 255 387 or see alleuroparts.co.nz.
Clears the floor The Century 4000B is a four-tonne clear floor lift at an affordable price. It has an overall height of 4000mm, and a padded height protection limit switch and extra wide arms, making drive-in easy. The lift has automatic arm restraints, door protection rubbers, double telescopic lift pads, and 100mm 4X4 adapters as standard. It has dual levelling cables and is available in a galvanized finish. Supplied standard in single-phase, $4K plus GST ex-warehouse. Contact centurydistributors.co.nz for more information and a delivery/ installation quote.
Raising the level Advance Fluid Control’s TST double-walled clean oil and coolant tanks are designed to offer the highest level of performance and environmental protection for mechanical and industrial workshops. They save valuable workshop space and ensure a clean and professional look. Incorporating customized elements such as hose reels, oil bars, etc., will raise any workshop’s fluid handling to the next level. To find out more, call Advance Fluid Control on 0800 538 058, email sales@advancefc.co.nz or visit advancefluidcontrol.co.nz.
Corghi Linear 3D Aligner This is 3D camera wheel-alignment technology with high-resolution HiQ lenses. A selectable tutor follows the operator with step-by-step graphics, indicating how to proceed. Now, for a limited time, with a free Nex Remote tablet worth $1500 plus GST. This tablet is used as a remote control of the graphical user interface or as an additional screen. It makes all data and selections fast, easy, and at your fingertips all the time. Only $18,750 plus GST. For details, see automaster.co.nz, email info@automaster.co.nz, or call 0800 214 604.
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
Rislone’s stop leak for jack oil Designed specifically for floor jacks and bottle jacks, this Rislone oil is not simply a jack oil; it’s also a leak-stopper — reconditioning seals to stop current and future leaks. Simply clean the area around the filler cap, then fill the jack to the proper level. Do not overfill. Cycle the jack by lifting and releasing a few times to release any air caught in the system. Leaks usually stop in a few days of normal usage. If leak continues, repair may be required. One bottle treats 1.9 to 2.8 litres of fluid. Contact the Smits Group team on 0800 227 422 or see smitsgroup.co.nz for more information.
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Kumho’s new mud tyre is available now for 15-inch to 17-inch wheels. The MT71 lug-type block pattern delivers exceptional mud and rock traction from its three-ply side wall and seven integrated layers of fabric and steel. RRP $350 for a 31 10.5R15 MT71. Available from all good tyre shops displaying the Kumho sign.
Portable solar chargers Projecta’s Compac solar panel chargers provide direct or stored charging for phones, GoPros, GPSs, and drones for hikers, bikers, and kayakers. The two-panel 300g PP10 can be worn or carried on a rack while it recharges devices via its 1.6A port and three-in-one charging cable. It measures just 270x170x10mm when folded. The larger PP15 has a built-in power bank that takes six to eight hours to fully charge. Its 3.0A (5V) USB, Lightning, and USB-C ports allow for simultaneous charging of devices at 3.0A combined output. The PP15 weighs 505g and measures 270x160x20mm folded. Available from leading automotive stores throughout New Zealand; contact your local stockist for pricing.
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ACDelco knows filters With more than 100 years of experience, ACDelco knows filtration. ACDelco can filter almost anything, from engine-oil filters that capture particles onethird the size of a human hair, to cabin air filters that block odours and viruses. ACDelco filters offer very wide vehicle coverage of the New Zealand vehicle fleet. They are competitively priced and backed by the best warranties and technical support in the business. RRP from $10 plus GST. For more information, see acdelco.com.au/our-range/filters/ or contact your local Holden dealer.
Fuel-pump control units on demand
Slope meter adds safety Hummingbird’s Active Dual-Axis Inclinometer (Slope Meter) provides configurable pitch and roll measurement and display to operators of industrial machinery. The inclinometer, or slope meter, allows customization of sensor response times or averaging, allowing flexibility in various applications. Alarms and warnings can also be configured and saved. The integrated keypad allows for customization of the display, which comes with an adjustable mount with screw or suction fittings. Optional password protection on the set-up menu can be configured by the user. Input voltage 9–32V. RRP for the HMDS2000 Inclinometer is $1628.90. For more, call +61 1300 155 541 or visit hmbe.com.au/.
In contrast to the old ‘always-on’ fuel-pump system, a fuel-pump control unit ensures that only the required amount of fuel is supplied. This reduces power consumption and therefore saves fuel. Demand curves vary from vehicle to vehicle but Motorservice’s range of 19 control units in OE quality offers market coverage of more than 10 million vehicles. Fuel-pump control units are available from alleuroparts.co.nz, or visit ms-motorservice.com to find out more.
Bremtec Brakes joins CoolDrive remtec Brakes’ range of aftermarket passenger car, SUV, 4WD, light commercial, and heavy-duty commercial vehicle brake pads, discs, and sensors is now being distributed by CoolDrive Auto Parts. Recently named as a partner distributor for Bremtec products, CoolDrive offers brake pads and discs for local, European, and performance models. In benchmark wear and noise tests, Bremtec Brakes formulations have shown consistently longer overall service life, as well as quieter braking performance than competitor formulations. “Brake pads and discs are among the most common components that need replacement in modern cars and commercial vehicles. Drivers are now looking for overall braking comfort, while still retaining consistent braking performance. Bremtec Brakes’ latest ceramic formulations exceed these demands,” said John Blanchard, CEO of CoolDrive Auto Parts. Bremtec’s range of brake components offers quality and durability, together with a wide range of fitments, at an affordable price. Further information on the Bremtec Brakes pads and rotors range is available via the CoolDrive website: cooldrive.co.nz, and at all CoolDrive Auto Parts branches throughout New Zealand.
B Start with Delkor AGM The Delkor 570 901 076 AGM battery is specifically designed for vehicles with stop-start technology and regenerative braking. Based on 15,000km per annum CBD travel, these vehicles start approximately 16,000 more times every year than average cars. Delkor AGM batteries’ PowerFrame Grid technology is designed for much faster charge recovery. The Delkor 570 901 076 AGM battery, sized for most standard makes and models, is available from R&J Batteries branches and distributors. See delkor.com.au for more information.
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
EMCO is an Industry Leader in the distribution of lubricant and fluid equipment including: • Hose Reels • Pumps • Mobile dispensing equipment EMCO is a one stop shop, specialising in advice, installation of pipework and equipment as well as servicing of fluid management systems. We distribute and sell a great range of lubrication equipment from leading brands including RAASM, GRACO, ReCoila and Macnaught.
Contact EMCO on 07 8505240, email sales@emco.co.nz or visit our website www.emco.co.nz
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Supplying to the Trade
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Supplier directory
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YOUR GUIDE TO NEW ZEALAND'S LEADING AUTOMOTIVE TRADE SUPPLIERS
0800 472 787 0800 200 100 0800 445 889 0800 333 125 aecs.net 06 874 9077 bntnz.co.nz 09 414 3200 hcb.co.nz or 0800 422 228
precisionequipment.co.nz 0800 246 478
jasoceania.co.nz or 0800 527 335
dieseldistributors.co.nz or 09 265 0622 09 836 6673
autolign.co.nz or 09 574 2288 tatp.co.nz or 0800 268 266
smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422
griffithsequipment.co.nz or 09 525 4575
parts@1stautoparts.co.nz or 09 638 6439 mountshop.co.nz or 0508 866 686
bmw.co.nz or 0508 269 727 cyb.co.nz or 09 978 6666
0800 465 855 0800 549 429
automaster.co.nz or 0800 214 604 centurydistributors.co.nz
dtm.co.nz or 0800 621 233
nzmotoroils.com or 0800 942 645
0800 383 566 06 306 8446 or blackfern.coop redarcelectronics.co.nz 0800 757 333 or fenixautoparts.co.nz
crc.co.nz or 09 272 2700 rjbatt.co.nz or 09 636 5980
Auto Channel Issue #28 2020 #27 September August 2020
patchrubber.co.nz or 0508 837 248
penriteoil.co.nz or 0800 533 698
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smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422
treadwayequipped.co.nz 0800 436 436
sales@advancefc.co.nz 0800 538 058
holden.co.nz/dealers
07 850 5240
0800 188 122
mmnz.co.nz or 0800 54 53 52
cooldrive.co.nz or 0800 327 868
ryco.co.nz or 0800 838 222
ford.co.nz or 0800 367 369
tyreorder.co.nz or 0800 80 90 96
moreyoil.co.nz or 09 813 9200
gearwrench.co.nz
The Auto Channel supplier directory is your easy reference for sourcing a range of automotive products and services.
This directory is a paid service for businesses who supply to the New Zealand automotive trade. To secure your inclusion, contact Mark Everleigh on 09 222 1729 or mark.everleigh@parkside.co.nz.
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0800 727 574 OR MAGSTORE.NZ/BUSINESS
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PA R Be TS
Capricorn adds online resources AUTOMOTIVE COOPERATIVE CAPRICORN IS LAUNCHING AN ONLINE RESOURCE AND RESULTS FROM AN INDEPTH SURVEY OF MEMBERS apHub is a content portal giving members and non-members access to expert business tips, workshop hacks, and industry data to help automotive business owners develop their businesses. The Capricorn State of the Nation Report 2020 is Capricorn’s most substantial research project to date, combining feedback from over 1500 automotive workshops across Australia and New Zealand. Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser says CapHub is a response to members saying they wanted to spend less time working in their workshops and more time working on their workshops. The Customer section focuses on attracting, retaining and engaging with valued clients. An Industry section provides instant access to a range of reports and event information. Advice includes seven tips to improve cashflow, how creating a great culture can transform a business and making tough decisions; using social media to enhance customer service, what signals you may be giving to customers about your workshop, and how customer experience can be an optimum marketing tool. Other topics include
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future-proofing workshops and protecting them from cybercrime. The Capricorn State of the Nation 2020 Report has proportional feedback from all Australian states and New Zealand. Sixty-nine per cent of members own and operate mechanical workshops, 10 per cent are panel repairers, five per cent auto electricians, five per cent mobile mechanics, three per cent tyre and suspension specialists, and the rest are in other categories. Sections include Confidence, Challenges, Perceptions of Success, Efficiency, Our Customers, Know Your Value, Parts Pricing, Technology, The Future, Apprentices, Staff Rates, Experience and Training, Succession and Future Planning, and a set of General Recommendations. “I encourage members to benchmark their own business performance by comparing them with their automotive aftermarket industry colleagues. It’s a resource that will guide us all towards a more successful future,” Fraser says. The Capricorn State of the Nation Report 2020 is at capricorn.coop/caphub.
Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,298 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops Parts importers and distributors Transmission specialists Automotive recyclers Towing operators Panel beaters and painters Crash repairers Tyre dealers
Electric car owners want to accelerate change A SURVEY OF 1114 DRIVERS OR PROSPECTIVE DRIVERS OF EVS IN ENGLAND SHOWED 82 PER CENT BELIEVE THE 2035 PHASE OUT DATE FOR ICE SALES IN THE UK SHOULD BE MOVED TO AN EARLIER DATE. 6 per cent of all respondents believed an earlier phase out would have a positive impact on public health, and 72.9 per cent believed that an earlier phase out date would benefit the economy. 74 per cent agreed the motor industry would be able to supply enough electric cars to meet demand. Inspired by similar associations in Scotland, Norway, the Netherlands, Canada, and the USA, the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England
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Auto Channel Issue #28 September 2020
Suspension and underbody repairers was launched to represent the interests of current and prospective electric vehicle drivers in England. Other popular actions highlighted by the survey would be introducing a scrappage scheme for petrol and diesel internal combustion engine cars; continuing (in the UK) to offer grants and implement a loan scheme; implement a seamless payment scheme for charging; and to speed up local authority investment in public charging infrastructure. Bridget Phelps, EVA England Chair said, “Climate leadership demands that we move more quickly to clean our air. Development of electric cars and vans, their batteries, and renewable energy will create jobs and build a path to a more sustainable economy."
Steering specialists Towing operators Auto-electrical repairers New- and used-car dealers Air-conditioning repairers Heavy-machinery dealers Trucking and transport
Auto Channel Issue No. 29 distributed 29 September
Editorial: editor@autochannel.co.nz Advertising: Mike White michael.white@parkside.co.nz All other enquiries to: autochannel.co.nz Auto Channel is produced by Parkside Media, publishers of New Zealand’s three biggest-selling automotive magazines NZ Performance Car, New Zealand Classic Car, and NZV8.
SERVICE • KNOWLEDGE
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
AIR INTAKE HOSES ALUMINIUM PIPING BALL JOINTS BUMP STOPS COUPLINGS CRANK PULLEYS DAMPERS DIFF MOUNTS ENGINE MOUNTS HANGER MOUNTS IDLER ARMS IDLER PULLEYS LOWERING BLOCKS SILICONE HOSES
from
QUALITY • LATEST RANGES
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SPRING SEATS / PADS STEERING RACK ENDS STEERING RACK MOUNTS STRUT MOUNTS SUBFRAME MOUNTS SUSPENSION ARMS SUSPENSION BUSHES SWAY BARS SWAY BAR BUSHES SWAY BAR LINKS TENSIONERS TIE ROD ENDS U-BOLTS UNIVERSAL MOUNTS WHEEL HUBS & BEARINGS
CLASSIC to NEW
Rsts A C li
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UN S
WHANGAREI . HENDERSON . PENROSE . HAMILTON . PALMERSTON NORTH . LOWER HUTT . CHRISTCHURCH
WIN
A SHARE OF
$10,000!
1 entry for every $500 spent at NAPA Auto Parts, Ashdown Ingram, Autostop, Extreme, ASL, Bindons or Sulco.
4 x $2,500 Prezzy Cards to be won
*
Promotion runs from 1 August to 30 September, 2020 *Every $500 excluding GST spent at NAPA Auto Parts, Autostop, Extreme Automotive, Ashdown Ingram, Bindons or Sulco during this period gets 1 entry into the draw to win. The total prize pool is $10,000 and consists of four prizes of $2500. Promotion excludes Cash Sale account purchases. Customers must have a valid up to date trading account at any of the above locations to claim their prize. The prize draw will take place on Friday 9 October, 2020 and winners will be notified by phone.
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