NEWS
SWAN IGNITION COILS ON-SHOW The brand was part of the 2022 Parts 4 trade show recently After a three-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parts 4 trade show returned in 2022 at the Rydges Hotel in Sydney. Swan Ignition Coils debuted as an exhibitor at the show this year after becoming a preferred supplier for the Parts 4 group earlier in May. “Prior to the trade show, we had already been supplying our ignition coils to Parts 4 retailers and had received great feedback on our range and high quality, but we saw that the mutually beneficial relationship could be nurtured with other members,” Swan Ignition Coils Marketing Manager, Steve Butrakoski, said. The Parts 4 Automotive Group was founded in March 2001 and consisted of only eight Victorian stores. The founders were frustrated by their current arrangement with suppliers as they were being dictated to regarding stock and advertising. So, they decided to find a better way to empower themselves and other independent retailers into a position that would give them an even playing field when it comes to purchasing and negotiating power. Today, the group has expanded Australia wide to consist of ninety-six independently run retail stores and sixty-four preferred suppliers.
“For us at Swan Ignition Coils, trade shows are not a new experience. We have been exhibiting our range at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAAE) for the past six years,” Steve said. “During a meeting with Kim Mamouney (Parts 4 Business Development Manager) at this year’s AAAE, we were so amazed with what the group had achieved and what it could offer us as a preferred supplier, that we submitted our application. “Although the Parts 4 Trade Show is on a smaller scale, we were very impressed with the organisation and outcome of the event. “During the Parts 4 Trade Show, we were fortunate enough to make such a positive impact that we gained many new customers (which we prefer to call partners). Subsequently, due to the traction of our positive feedback, we have gained Parts 4 partners that had not even attended the Trade Show. “Our larger partnerships have enabled our Australian-owned and Trademark-registered brand to find its way into more and more vehicles on the Australian road. “Our ignition coils are even making their mark on international roads as we are ever expanding our international presence, with partners in New Zealand and other individual global locations.
“Our presence on the global stage may broaden as there is the possibility that we will exhibit at next year’s AAPEX in Las Vegas and Automechanika in Birmingham. These two events will further help cement Swan as a genuine brand in the ignition coil sector. So, watch out for next year’s updates.” The automotive mechanical industry can contact their local Parts 4 store (www.parts4.com.au) to request the Swan Ignition Coil range, while Parts 4 retailers, along with other retailers, can find the range on both OSCAR and Techdoc or can contact Swan Ignition Coils direct on 03 9336 2889. For more information, visit www.swancoils.com.au
ANCAP BUILDS ON TEST AND RATING CRITERIA FOR 2023 The changes form part of ANCAP and Euro NCAP’s regular regime enhancements The next step-change in vehicle safety rating criteria will take effect from next year as ANCAP, Australasia’s independent voice on vehicle safety, broadens its test and rating criteria. From January 2023 ANCAP, which shares common test and rating protocols with its European counterpart Euro NCAP, will expand its criteria by adding new and updated tests and assessments to its star rating regime to incentivise a continued high level of safety offered to Australian, New Zealand and European car buyers. These changes form part of ANCAP and Euro NCAP’s regular regime enhancements which encourage continual safety improvements every few years. The previous step-change in criteria took effect from January 2020. “Our 2023 requirements build upon our existing criteria to promote further vehicle safety improvements and address some of the ongoing challenges on our roads,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg, said. ANCAP’s expanded 2023 test and assessment 18
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2022
criteria will include new areas such as the ability of a vehicle to avoid a crash with a motorcyclist, child presence detection, and vehicle submergence. Several existing assessment areas will also be enhanced, including: • a heighted focus on vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility (introducing a potential 8.00 point penalty compared with the current 4.00 point penalty); • a 10 percent increase to the star rating thresholds for Vulnerable Road User Protection; • the assessment of direct driver monitoring systems to manage driver inattention and fatigue; and • an expansion of autonomous emergency braking test scenarios to include additional night-time tests and child pedestrian avoidance tests when a vehicle is in reverse. “Vehicles, and the safety technologies within them, are continuing to evolve, and our test criteria are too,” Carla said.
“Physical protection in a crash, and the ability to actively avoid a crash are both essential elements to achieve a high ANCAP safety rating, and this approach will continue from 2023.” The requirements set for each star rating level are designed to encourage vehicles that provide a good balance of passive safety – how well a vehicle will protect you and your occupants if you have a crash, and active safety – the ability of a vehicle to prevent or minimise the outcomes of a crash through active collision avoidance systems. For more information, visit www.ancap.com.au