State of two nations Cover

AUTO CHANNEL IS DISTRIBUTED TO 11,306 NEW ZEALAND BUSINESSES ONLINE autochannel.co.nz EMAIL editor@autochannel.co.nz MAIL PO Box 46020, Herne Bay, Auckland 1147

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AUTO CHANNEL IS PUBLISHED BY

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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, new- and used-car dealers, air-conditioning repairers, heavy-machinery dealers, trucking and transport.

“Yes, it has traditionally been a male-dominated environment. But it doesn’t have to be,” says Fraser. “We need to create opportunities and challenge perceptions that automotive is only for the blokes. “It’s not the only solution, and it’s not a quick fix,” continues Fraser, “but providing opportunities and encouraging a more diverse workforce will make our industry a much better, happier place to be.”

THE REPORT MADE 10 RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARISED BELOW:

FINDING HAPPINESS

Interestingly, the report also found that 62 per cent of respondents were “extremely happy” or “very happy” with their career in automotive, regardless of their turnover, but there was a strong link between having lots of work, enjoying being a business owner, and happiness. “Making customers happy” was the leading positive of working in the industry, while a third enjoyed problem solving and fixing things.

Six in 10 members said being successful means doing high-quality work. It beat out financial considerations as the top answer to the question: ‘What does success look like?’

“Despite a couple of Covid-chaos years, the mood generally remains positive. Making customers happy, solving their vehicle’s problems and the variety of work continue to drive the positive sentiment,” said Fraser.

THE BIG PICTURE

Of the respondents, 89 per cent ran independent workshops, 64 per cent ran mechanical workshops and almost three-quarters were the sole decisionmakers in their businesses.

The average respondent was male and aged 46. More commercial truck members replied this year (up five percentage points to 10 per cent). Members had an average of 4.4 staff, ranging from the 22 per cent who had one team member to the 24 per cent who had six or more. The average number of hoists was 2.9. More than three-quarters of respondents relied on word-of-mouth marketing and just over half were using social media channels to find work and communicate with customers.

Make use of quality data sources • Stop googling for information about repairs; use reputable resources.

Get ready for EVs • They will be a big part of the industry’s future and workshops need to be prepared for them.

Take on an apprentice • They’re the long-term solution to the skills shortage.

Provide opportunities for female apprentices.

Charge customers fairly • Charge for diagnostics. Mark up parts thoughtfully.

Consider increasing your labour charge-out rate, if necessary, to meet rising costs.

Plan for spare parts shortages • While global supply chains are causing problems getting parts, Capricorn says its preferred suppliers are doing everything possible to meet demand.

Invest in training • Training improves productivity and competitiveness. It’s also an investment in staff that helps with retention.

Invest in technology • Don’t fall behind competitors or risk turning away business for a lack of tools or training. Recoup tech costs by charging for diagnostics.

Create an excellent workplace culture • Make the workshop a place people want to be.

Embrace the benefits of a more diverse workforce.

Take a break • You need rest. Structure your business so you can get away. Pay yourself with time off like you’d pay your bills – on time, in full, and non-negotiable.

Plan for the future • Whether it’s growing the business or handing over to the next generation, have a plan in place. It’s never too early to plan succession.

NTK expands sensor range

LEADING IGNITION AND SENSOR SUPPLIER NTK HAS LAUNCHED FOUR NEW SENSOR RANGES

NTK has more than 40 years of experience in the sensor business and is Australia’s leading ignition and sensor supplier. Following successes in Europe and the United States, NTK added to its already extensive catalogue of oxygen sensors, exhaust gas temperature sensors, and air fuel ratio monitors last year by releasing four new products:

• Engine Camshaft Position Sensor: These sensors report camshaft rotation timing and speed. A vital component of the ignition system and vehicle computer communication, the engine camshaft sensor determines the exact position and speed of the camshaft(s) to ensure the proper timing of fuel injection and ignition as well as VVT operation. • Engine Crankshaft Position Sensor: These sensors report crankshaft rotation timing and speed.

Like the camshaft sensor, the engine crankshaft position sensor plays a vital role when it comes to the ignition system and vehicle computer communication, determining the exact position and speed of the crankshaft to ensure the proper timing of fuel injection and ignition while also providing misfire monitoring. • MAP Sensor: These sensors determine the intake manifold pressure or vacuum. They are a major contributor to fuel injector pulse width and ignition and valve timing, reporting engine load to the engine’s computer and ensuring proper air/ fuel ratios. • ABS Wheel Speed Sensor: These sensors monitor the vehicle wheel speed. The ABS control module uses the information received from the

ABS wheel speed sensors for several systems such as anti-lock braking, traction control, and stability control systems. Sensors can be found at each wheel as well as at the differential or transmission tail shaft housing.

After years of NTK’s oxygen sensors, exhaust gas temperature sensors, and air fuel ratio monitors leading the way for both vehicle manufacturers and the automotive aftermarket, the addition of the new camshaft, crankshaft, MAP and ABS wheel speed sensor ranges mark a significant expansion of the NTK portfolio. The company says these new sensor ranges are already proving popular within its home aftermarket with distributors, workshops, and end-users.

NTK attributes its premier status within the industry to its commitment to four competitive differences: range, availability, tech support, and OE standards.

“Our range, availability, technical support, and OE quality makes NTK sensors the most trusted sensor brand for mechanical workshops,” said NGK Spark Plugs Australia’s senior product manager, James Filshie.

“NTK have always been the sensor specialists you can count on, and this is now even more true thanks to our significantly expanded range.

“These new offerings provide excellent New Zealand vehicle parc coverage and open up further OE replacement opportunities for aftermarket customers, and cement our position as a worldleading ignition and sensor manufacturer.”

To support these new ranges, NTK has now released educational material in an informative YouTube video.

“Today’s motor vehicles must provide greater efficiency, optimise fuel consumption, and maintain performance and power while providing improved safety and accident avoidance, cleaner outputs, and pollution control. At the same time, reliability, long service life, and engine protection are a must,” James said.

“These functions all rely on the engine control unit (ECU), a powerful computer which performs millions of calculations each second while receiving inputs from sensors throughout the vehicle.” In turn, those computers rely absolutely on accurate information from sensors.

“It is the function of these sensors that have provided the enormous advances in vehicle operations in recent years. Quality sensors are vital to help professionals working in service, repair, and diagnostics ensure their customers’ cars are operating as intended by the factory.

“Our new educational material will help explain to customers the importance of using quality sensors in their vehicles to ensure their vehicles’ brains — the ECUs — have the best and most reliable sensors possible. Quality sensors also mean faster diagnosis in times of trouble, which equals less downtime, lower costs, and happier customers.

“The last thing technicians working on customer vehicles should be worrying about is whether the replacement sensor they have chosen is going to stand the test of time. As the sensor specialist, NTK applies its engineering expertise and goes the extra mile to test its full line of technical sensors beyond OE specifications so our customers can focus on moving onto the next job, rather than worrying about comebacks.

“With the release of our new and informative video and other resources in support of our four new sensor ranges, we look forward to speaking with more and more automotive professionals about what we can do for them.”

For more information, visit ngk.com.au.

Quality sensors are vital to help professionals working in service, repair, and diagnostics ensure their customers’ cars are operating as intended by the factory

The game changer

FUCHS NEW GT1 TITAN FLEX COMBINES ACEA C2 AND C3 SPECIFICATIONS IN A SINGLE PRODUCT

Titan GT1 Flex C23 SAE 5W-30 replaces Fuchs Titan GT1 Flex 23 SAE 5W-30 and the new name speaks to the oil’s many attributes. The Flex title highlights its many approvals, while C23 refers to its unique ability to combine ACEA C2 and C3 in a single product. That’s why Fuchs calls Titan GT1 Flex C23 SAE 5W-30 ‘the Game Changer’.

The global car parc is ever-evolving and it has seen a great deal of change, especially in recent years. Fuchs says this change needs to be embraced if it is to be properly serviced.

That’s why Fuchs — which offers German technology, made in Australia — continues to lead the way in developing lubricants to service the Australasian car parc. The new Titan GT1 Flex C23 SAE 5W-30 oil is universally applicable for diesel, petrol, and gas engines for many manufacturers, which reduces oil inventory and saves money for workshops.

Its API SP specification means Titan GT1 Flex C23 SAE 5W-30 also retrospectively covers API SN, SM, SL requirements. As a result, it provides coverage for more than 12 million vehicles across the Australian and New Zealand car parc.

This includes many of the most popular vehicles, including Toyota Landcruiser, Prado, Fortuner, HiAce, Rav-4 and Hi-Lux, Volkswagen Golf, Jetta and Passat, a range of of BMW and Mercedes vehicles, and late-model diesel vehicles including those from Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia.

Fuchs says Titan GT1 Flex C23 SAE 5W-30 reduces oil consumption, improves ageing resistance, and protects diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems such as diesel particulate filters.

In line with Fuchs’ commitment to sustainability, the new oil is available in a range of bottle sizes designed to better match more modern sump sizes which reduces potential packaging waste. The available sizes are 5 and 7-litre bottles, 10, 20, and 205-litre drums, and 1000-litre IBCs.

Fuchs remains a local supplier, developing and manufacturing products at two laboratories and production facilities in Australia. More than 95 per cent of Fuchs’ products sold in Australia and New Zealand are manufactured in Australia. Fuchs produces more than 1700 lubricants and related specialist products.

For more information, and for a fast product recommendation for individual vehicles, see fuchs.co.nz.

Corghi Artiglio Master Jolly — simply the best tyre changer

IF YOU WANT THE BEST IN TYRE CHANGERS, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER CORGHI’S ARTIGLIO MASTER JOLLY

Corghi has long been at the forefront of tyre changing technology and is now matching its strengths in proven construction quality and unique technological solutions with a competitive price.

It has brought completely touchless technology into a price bracket never seen before. Other brands have come to market with other systems but Corghi distributor Automaster says Corghi’s patenting of its ‘Leva la leva’ design, introduced in 2001, has given its customers a technological advantage that has remained unmatched over time.

Simple programming of the rim diameter ensures the machine’s tools never touch the wheel rim during any work phase, thanks to the preset distance between the tool and the rim.

Bead breaking is achieved with rotating polymer discs set at precise angles. They work with the turntable to move the bead down into the wheel well without stressing the sidewall. A second disc working in the same way from underneath the turntable repeats the process, releasing the inside bead. After the outside tyre wall has been lifted over the rim by another arm — no manual handling of levers is required — the bottom disc then moves up to complete the removal of the tyre from the rim.

The radial positioning of the discs is automated, removing the need for manual positioning by the operator. Controlled penetration, speed, and repeatability are guaranteed by the synchronised and symmetrical motions of the two bead-breaking discs in the patented system.

The tool arms and controls are divided into three distinct work areas making it easy to recognise the required movements, making the job simple and intuitive for the operator. Ergonomic and multifunctional consoles with a display set the rim diameter and obtain the positioning of the work tools in a quick, practical, and safe manner.

The Master Jolly can handle wheels from 12 to 28-inches in diameter and tyre widths up to 14-inches. It is ideal for high throughput workshops, taking most of the wearying physical effort out of handling wheels. Naturally, it comes with a wheel lifter which effortlessly lifts and tilts wheels of any type onto the turntable, enabling staff to stay fresh and focused.

The only remaining physical task in operating the machine is placing the spindle through the centre of the wheel to centre and locate it. However, there is also another version of the machine, the Corghi Artiglio Master Jolly Automatic, which also automates the process of pneumatically clamping the wheel.

For more information, and informative videos on Corghi’s Artiglio Master machines, see automaster.co.nz, or call Automaster on 0800 214 604.

A last race to remember

SEPTEMBER WAS A BIG MONTH FOR SUPERCAR DRIVER MARK ‘FROSTY’ WINTERBOTTOM AND TEAM 18 IN NEW ZEALAND

Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom had a testing weekend at the last ever Supercars Championship event at Auckland’s Pukekohe Park Raceway but it finished on a high note — Frosty and the Fuchs Lubricants-sponsored Team 18 announced a multi-year extension to their partnership. “Tough weekend for my car,” said Frosty. “Qualifying speed wasn’t there but our race pace was pretty good.”

Frosty qualified 15th and 16th for Sunday’s two races. He had a drive-through penalty in the first race after contact with another car, but he set one of the fastest laps in the closing stages of the race before finishing 22nd. In the second race he suffered a hit to the rear of his Commodore which affected the handling but he still managed to improve three places to finish 12th. Frosty paid tribute to the track and to the Pukekohe crowd who made the last race there a special event. “It’s going to be sad to see this place go — the reception on the hill was pretty epic after the race.” It was a better day for Mark Emery at KAAR Henderson, Auckland, who won first prize in Fuchs Lubricants’ ‘Chill with Frosty’ promotion. The win saw Mark take home a 98-litre ‘Frosty Fridge’ decalled with Supercar’s star Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom — the ideal accessory for motorsport viewing at home. Second prize of a George Foreman grill went to Ajay Raj of Subirex Automotive Ltd. While in Auckland, Frosty and fellow Team 18 driver Scott Pye — who scored fifth and seventh-placed finishes at Puke — made a surprise visit to the Auto Super Shoppe Automotive Academy. The academy provides a 12-week intensive course that helps candidates who are passionate about the automotive industry get ready for the challenges of life in a workshop. The Auto Super Shoppe Automotive Academy students are fully supported into employment on graduation. It’s a unique opportunity, giving technicians of the future the best possible start in their careers as it is the only pre-trade course in New Zealand that can boast 100 per cent job placement of graduates for the last three years running! The students and staff got valuable insights into the cutting edge of the car world from the two Supercar drivers. Fuchs Lubricants gave each student a double pass to the last race at Pukekohe and some of the keenest also took part in a private garage tour. In the season-ending feature race at Bathurst on 6 October, Frosty finished 15th and Pye 16th, enough to secure 10th in the championship for Frosty, while Scott Pye finished 16th overall. The Bathurst 1000 race was won by Shane van Gisbergen. For more information on Fuchs Lubricants, see fuchs.co.nz, or call 0800 382 476.

ELECTRONIC & MECHATRONIC REPAIRS

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AAAA provides input on EV strategy

THE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET ASSOCIATION HAS REACTED TO CONCERN ABOUT ITS INPUT INTO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S PLAN FOR A TRANSITION TO EVS

CEO Stuart Charity says Australia’s plans to transition to zero and low emission vehicles (ZLEVs) is dominating discussion across the industry in the wake of the AAAA’s announcement that the government wanted its views.

He reassured members that although the AAAA backs this technological evolution and will support the aftermarket industry throughout the journey, the AAAA didn’t want to lose focus on ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles.

He said he had heard from many AAAA members in recent weeks, particularly after the AAAA’s media release confirming it would be consulted on the government’s strategy for the EV transition, and that this was a hot topic of discussion at the recent Automotive Repairers Council Australia (ARCA) meeting.

“There are three key messages I’ve heard loud and clear. Firstly, you understand the ZLEV future is coming, and want support with advice, education and training to allay concerns and prepare your customers. Secondly, and equally as important, is that the AAAA should maintain its focus and effort on supporting the service and repair of ICE vehicles, and thirdly, that the government should factor ICE vehicles into the overall national transition strategy,” Charity said.

“Our industry is increasingly becoming EV ready, but we must not lose sight of the projected timelines involved. The government has previously set a target of 50 percent of new car sales being ZLEV by 2030. Even if this 50 percent figure is reached, the volume of ICE vehicles currently on our roads and the 10-year average age of the car-parc, means ICE vehicles will remain the predominant vehicles in our car parc for many years to come. That is why we are advocating for a balanced and realistic transition, and our government consultation will remain a priority moving forward.”

He said that the aftermarket industry, which comprises more than 50,000 businesses and 300,000 workers, had a “huge” role to play in the rollout of this strategy, and the government needed to get it right.

He added that while electric vehicles were central to this new strategy, hydrogen-powered, hybrid and sustainably fuelled efficient internal combustion vehicles should also be considered part of the solution.

The industry had already shown its willingness to embrace an electric future, with long waiting lists for technicians wanting to complete the basic EV safety training courses across the country.

“We are working with governments, training organisations and other industry bodies on expanding training opportunities to meet this demand.”

Said Charity: “It is natural that change can create apprehension, but with a good plan, the correct advice, ongoing open communication and the right training, change can also bring growth and new business opportunities to the aftermarket industry. I look forward to supporting our members and the industry through this change.”

WORKSHOP SAFETY REMINDER ANNUAL TORQUE WRENCH CALIBRATION