MTA WA MOTOR December 2023 by Fuse Design

Volume 88 No. 3 DECEMBER 2023

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Training for our multi-faceted automotive future Aaron Love – WA’s latest motorsport superstar

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2023 MTA WA Automotive Awards another outstanding success GOLD SPONSOR

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Focus on innovation

www.mtawa.com.au

Enjoy easy, secure and reliable card payments with Commonwealth Bank’s Smart range of solutions. Preferential Merchant Service Fee of 0.24%1 available to members of MTA WA. Wherever and whenever you trade, Commonwealth Bank brings together more of the solutions you need, giving you more control, time and security. With 24/7 Australian call centre support, local business specialists nationwide and a range of flexible business solutions, Commonwealth Bank is available to help you focus on what really matters, your business.

Compare your merchant service today. With Commonwealth Bank, MTA WA members can receive special discounts on our Smart terminal range of EFTPOS solutions. We can also offer a customised comparison2 of your current merchant service to Commonwealth Bank’s merchant solutions, to help you discover which product is right for you. We have flexible terminal and pricing options to suit your needs today and that can change with you in the future. To find out how much you could save with Commonwealth Bank, contact MTA WA on 08 9233 9800 or email enquiries@mtawa.com.au and they'll put you in touch with a Commonwealth Bank Relationship Manager.

Things you should know: As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. 1 0.24% is the merchant service fee rate which does not include the Mastercard and Visa Interchange rates. Interchange fees are set by card schemes such as Mastercard and Visa for processing transactions between Commonwealth Bank and the cardholder’s bank and is subject to change, therefore, savings may vary. 2 Commonwealth Bank merchant cost comparison is available to compare all fee types & competitors. Different assumptions and estimates could result in materially different results. On this basis, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy of the information or projections contained in this example.

Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Please view our Merchant Agreement, Financial Services Guide and Operator and User Guides at commbank.com.au/ merchantsupport MTA WA may receive a referral fee from Commonwealth Bank for each successful referral (excludes existing customers) on eligible Business Banking products and services. Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945.

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Torque Time: MTA WA improving member outcomes Welcome to new MTA WA Board members Industry Matters: Innovation versus regulation Training to ensure technicians are EV-ready MTA WA Automotive Awards round-up Meet the MTA WA Employment Services team Celebration of the Motorcar celebrates 30 years New Perth kid on the block in V8 Supercars Focus on innovation Supercar manufacturer McLaren lands in Perth HSV Grange fuels ministerial passion If I could own any car: Ferrari 308 GTB Consumer Protection matters

ADVERTISING DIRECTORY

34 MOTOR

IFC

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43-44 Spirit Super

Exide Batteries

Officeworks

SP Tools

Capricorn

Auto Aftermarket Expo

MOTOR WA is the official magazine of the Motor Trade Association of WA (Inc). It has been read by Members of the automotive industry since 1934 and continues to nurture the industry in the interests of its prosperity, security and social advancement.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Motor Trade Association of WA ABN 99 171 384 206 MTA WA, 253 Balcatta Road, Balcatta WA 6021 Postal: PO Box 1060, Balcatta WA 6914 Tel: (08) 9233 9800 Email: mtawa@mtawa.com.au www.mtawa.com.au

Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of MTA WA. E&OE

Board of Management of the State Council President: Ray Mountney, Muir Ford, Nissan and Marine Vice President: Joe Giura, Westrans Services WA Pty Ltd Treasurer: Moira D’Cruze - Wembley Autocare Robyn Cook, Peel Tyre Service Pat Browne, Pebco Automotive Service Peter Coupland, Bowra Panel and Paint Jodi Kerr, Shacks Motor Group Garry Spouge, Modern Motor Trimmers Dr Irene Ioannakis, Ioannakis and Associates (Independent) Andrew Houghton (Independent) Group Chief Executive Officer Stephen Moir

Managing Editor Stephen Moir Editor Paul Roberts Design and production Fuse Design and Communication www.fusedandc.com

To advertise in MOTOR WA: MTA WA Media Department Motor Trade Association of WA Tel: 08 9233 9800 Email: marketing@mtawa.com.au National Barry Browne Media Management Tel: (03) 9807 9154 Mobile: 0418 322 243 Email: barry@barrybrownemedia.com.au

TORQUE TIME/MOTOR

DEDICATED TO IMPROVED MEMBER OUTCOMES With MTA WA CEO Stephen Moir

he 89th Annual General Meeting of the Motor Trade Association of WA was held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on Tuesday 17th October 2023. It provided the opportunity to inform members that the MTA WA had returned one of the strongest results on record, which given the trading environment over the reporting period, was a very positive outcome. I do want to stress the importance of these meetings to members as it is the chance to hear first-hand how your Association is performing and, where necessary, to ask questions in relation to the operation of the Association. Apart from presenting the Annual Report, the State Council also elected the incoming Board for the next twelve months and I am pleased to advise members that the appointments as listed in the below table were confirmed. I want to thank the Board for their ongoing commitment to the Association and the wider automotive

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER JULY 2023 2023

industry and I look forward to working with them as we chart the next phase of the MTA WA. Looking at the performance of the MTA WA, we continue to see solid growth across all areas of the business, in particular the Apprentice Employment Service (formally known as the GTO) and our training operations. At a time when the State’s automotive apprentice enrolments decreased by 12%, the MTA WA saw an increase of 27%, with 754 apprentices enrolled as at 30 June 2023. This makes the MTA WA the market leader in light vehicle apprentice training in WA. We also witnessed strong growth in our post-trade programs with 841 participants attending training in areas such as air-conditioning, battery/hybrid and tyre fitting. The MTA WA’s Apprentice Employment Service also saw strong growth with 326 apprentices employed across 177 host employers at the end of the financial year. This represents a growth of 8% in apprentice numbers year-on-year.

Name

Company

Position

Ray Mountney

Muirs WA

President

Joe Guira

Westrans

Vice President

Moira D’Cruz

Wembley Autocare

Treasurer

Patrick Browne

Pebco

Director

Robyn Cook

Peel Tyres

Director

Peter Coupland

Bowra Panel and Paint

Director

Jodi Kerr

Shacks Motor Group

Director

Garry Spouge

Modern Motor Trimmers

Director

Dr Irene Ioannakis

Independent Director (Training)

Director

Andrew Houghton

Independent Director (Legal)

Director

Are electric vehicles At a time when the State’s automotive apprentice enrolments decreased by 12%, the MTA WA saw an increase of 27%, with 754 apprentices enrolled as at 30 June 2023.

Employers are seeing the benefits of using this valuable service to be able to engage and train apprentices in a more cost-effective manner. Whilst a great deal of our attention is focussed on training tomorrow’s automotive workforce, the MTA WA has, and always will be, a membershipbased and dedicated organisation and over the past year we have seen further growth in membership. Unfortunately, one of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic was the disruption of face-to-face engagement with our members and this is being addressed as a priority. The team at the MTA WA has undertaken a comprehensive review of our Divisional Management area, with particular focus on how we can better serve our members. This has resulted in a restructure to increase the level of direct contact to ensure that we are meeting the standards our members expect. The MTA WA exists to serve our members and improve the business operating environment. Over the next 12 months members, both regional and metro based, will see a greater level of contact from the Association. In summary, the MTA WA is in a very strong position, and we are well placed to build on this base to further improve outcomes for our members.

losing their spark?

ecently I was interviewed by 6PR’s Oliver Peterson about the record level of new car sales in Australia. With projected sales of 1.2 million units for the year, 2023 is on track to be the strongest year on record. But Oliver pointed out one fact that went against this trend. For the first time there was a softening in EV sales – down from 8% of sales in September to 5.7% in October. This is at a time when the availability and choice of EVs has never been stronger, and Oliver’s question was why. I think there are a number of factors at play here. Firstly, in the words of Aristotle, “One swallow does not a summer make”. Let’s not draw a line under EVs just yet. That said, EVs remain an expensive choice for consumers with the cheapest EVs still approximately $10,000 more than the average spend on a new car. At the upper end of the market, we see early adopters of technology spending in excess of $100,000 for premium EVs. However, that is a limited market and consumers are arguably using their buying power to make a more of a fashion statement rather than a desire to save the planet.

for Australia in providing affordable, good-sized vehicles that are kinder on the planet and provide cost savings for the owner. It is interesting that hybrid car sales have surged over the past six months moving from 6.26% of sales in the first quarter of this year to 10.31% for the third quarter. Hybrids have taken market share from both EVs and ICE vehicles and it is Toyota’s Rav 4 leading the way and with a list price of $43,000. It is in the ball park for the average family looking for a car that can do the run around during the week and then escape to the country on the weekend with no range anxiety or worry about where to charge. Which brings me to my next point. Infrastructure, or rather the lack of it, remains the big issue for most motorists. The MTA WA has a BYD in our fleet. This is a great car and a real pleasure to run around the city in, but I wanted to take it on a road trip to visit members in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Albany. Now the hype will suggest to you that this is possible, but the reality is that several of the charging points will be off single phase three plug power points that could take several hours to charge. Not user friendly and

At the lower end of the market, we are now seeing brands such as MG, BYD, Hyundai and Tesla offering EVs at between $45,000 and $70,000 and we have seen a significant upsurge in the sales of these vehicles. It is notable, however, that this price category also qualifies for the subsidies offered by government to move into EVs, providing a powerful incentive. I have long argued that hybrid cars are the sweet spot MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

I have long argued that hybrid cars are the sweet spot for Australia in providing affordable, good-sized vehicles that are kinder on the planet and provide cost savings for the owner. It is interesting that hybrid car sales have surged over the past six months moving from 6.26% of sales in the first quarter of this year to 10.31% for the third quarter. simply not practical, so the trip will be made in one of the MTA WA’s Hybrid Cross vehicles. Consumers are yet to be convinced about the merits of EVs and that uncertainty is being played out around the world. The US market has seen a significant slowing in the sales of EVs with manufacturers such as Ford, GM and Tesla reviewing their projections and production targets. Cox Automotive have reported that sales growth is slowing with 2021 and 2022 returning growth of 75% year on year but that this year it will drop to 50%. That is significant. The same report shows that dealers are taking 88 days to sell their stock of EVs compared to 60 days for ICE vehicles.

Consumer apprehension American consumer apprehension is not so different to that expressed by their Australian counterparts. The key areas of concern are charging infrastructure, range and the overall cost of buying an EV. Only one-third of US car buyers are considering an EV as their next car. Unions in the US are also mounting arguments against electric vehicles as the manufacture of EVs requires fewer workers and approximately 70% less maintenance than a conventional ICE vehicle, meaning less employment and fewer workshops and dealers. Not a good industry outcome.

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

In the United Kingdom, the Sunak Government is now actively considering changing a number of policies aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This includes winding back the proposed ban on the sale of ICE vehicles from 2030 to 2035 and scrapping the expansion of the ultra-low emissions zone around London because of the financial impact on the general public. The uncertainty created by the above examples for consumers is very real and has a major influence on purchasing decisions. This is why governments need to work closely with industry in the formulation of policy that achieves environmental targets but also does not negatively impact on the cost to households. I am sorry to say this, but bureaucrats are the worst placed people for developing informed policy and I will give you a prime example of this from a recent experience. I recently attended a Critical Minerals and Electric Vehicles Skills Forum in Canberra which was very well run and provided an excellent opportunity to work with public servants, resource and automotive representatives and training providers. However, there was one presenter from the Federal Government who made a couple of alarming statements about the state of play for automotive that were

just wrong. In their presentation the speaker stated that the automotive industry would see demand for workers increase as the number of EVs increase, with fuel retailers the only area to see a reduction. Let’s talk about fuel retailers first. I’m not sure if this presenter has visited a fuel outlet recently but the only staff at these outlets are the cashiers who not only take payments for fuel but also the myriad of chocolate bars, milk, pies and pasties. Fuel outlets are today’s corner store. The speaker also failed to consider that fuel outlets in the future will repurpose their services to not only include ULP and diesel but also EV charging points and hydrogen recharge services. Unlike the general automotive sector, that won’t result in less staff being required. Again our presenter missed the mark when they stated that the industry would need more workers. From experience, Europe is forecasting that around 30% of dealerships and workshops will disappear as a result of the transition to EVs. EVs do not require the same level of servicing as ICE vehicles meaning dealerships and workshops are having to review their focus to ensure future survival. So while it is true that more qualified EV technicians will be needed, that will come at the cost of today’s technicians.

• There is an urgent need to develop a national road user charge system that replaces the reliance on the fuel excise and provides a level playing field for all road users. This should include consideration for regional and remote road users. • You simply cannot have a significant increase in the numbers of EVs without a substantial investment in upgrading the energy grid. The existing grid cannot manage thousands of EVs particularly if owners choose three phase power options for fast chargers. It is critical that those individuals within government who make decisions are well briefed on the key issues surrounding the transition to EVs. Unfortunately bureaucrats are not the only ones that get it wrong and the discussion on EVs has not been helped by a recent survey conducted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA). AAAA have reported that, and I quote, “a large portion of our industry’s workshops, fifty percent in fact, are either already EV-ready (one in 10) or already investing heavily in future readiness, prioritising skills and equipment to create a safe and productive working environment.”

their way to being EV ready, and as the largest trainer of EV technologies in WA I can report that this is simply not the case.

Misleading

• Worldwide there are 1.3 billion ICE vehicles (23 million in Australia) and it is simply not feasible to transition across to EV technology in 10 to 20 years without significant hardship for consumers.

The 50% reference is misleading as it suggests that this “groundbreaking” research discovered half of the industry is EV ready or investing. In anyone’s interpretation it is a stretch to generalise to the entire (Australian) automotive industry given the research is based on a sample size of 200 workshops. It is fair to say that AAAA have misreported the results of the survey, but to make sure we contacted the research group who provided clarification on the results. The reality, after going through the rationale, was that only 10% of those businesses surveyed were EV future ready, with 40% responding that they were making progress, albeit slow. So why is this important? Just like our speaker who failed to understand the state of play within the automotive industry, AAAA’s report results could be used by governments when making policy decisions. If they took the results as being correct, they could assume that the automotive industry is well on

We need accurate, factual information supplied to the Federal Government so that they can make informed decisions. So, in closing the Federal Government needs to consider the following points: • The future of personal transport must be multi-facetted, and not just focussed on EVs. We will have ICE, EVs, Hybrid and Plug in Hybrids, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, and eFuels, the latter which enable nearly-carbonneutral operation of combustion engines.

• It is consumers in the lower income scale that are generally more dependant on their vehicles and who can least afford an EV. Government should not be financially penalising this cohort because of their continued reliance on ICE vehicles. • Transport is not the primary cause of environmental damage. Stop guilting motorists into EVs while continuing to support some of the largest polluters like the coal industry. Consumers aren’t silly – they see this. • There is an urgent need for clear policy directions that can actually be achieved. Provide meaningful, longterm incentives to assist in lowering the price of EVs. These should not only include financial incentives but also the removal of taxes such as LCT, stamp duty, etc.

• Introduce CO2 emission standards to encourage cleaner, low and zero emission vehicle choices. The MTA WA is absolutely committed to working with the Federal Government to improve the environmental footprint of our vehicle fleet, which includes driving the uptake of EVs and other low and zero emission vehicles, but the Government must take a more holistic view when formulating policy to drive the change that we need.

All the best for the Festive Season Can I conclude this Torque Time by wishing all members and business partners the very best for the Festive Season. The automotive industry in Western Australia has, in large, performed exceptionally well over the last 12 months and I have no doubt that we will continue to rise to the challenges we will no doubt face in the future. I would like to thank all members for your continued support over the past year and assure you that your MTA WA remains available to you whenever you need us. I would also like to thank the staff at the MTA WA for their outstanding efforts in ensuring our members have access to the people and resources they need when required. Best wishes to all. Steve Moir, Group CEO

MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

MTA WA Board welcomes

new members

This year’s MTA WA State Council and Annual General Meeting was held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on Tuesday, October 17. The MTA WA was very pleased to welcome Peter Coupland, Jodi Kerr and Garry Spouge to the Board of Directors. We would also like to thank outgoing Board members Jay Opdam, Travis Arnold and Georgie Withers for their valuable contributions over the past 12 months. Group CEO Steve Moir in conversation with new Board member Jodi Kerr

Peter Coupland Owner and Director of Bowra Panel and Paint I have been involved in the industry for many years, initially managing Bowra Panel and Paint for 15 years before taking the plunge and buying the business from original owner, Colin Bowra, in 2002. As a member, and now Chairman, of the Body Repair Division of the MTA WA, I have been actively involved in representing and furthering the interests of this side of the motor trades. I am now very keen to bring my experience and expertise to the MTA WA’s leadership team as the representative for the panel and paint industry and to play a part in directing the future of our Association. Being a member of the MTA WA Board allows me to make a real difference and I consider it to be a great privilege to share my knowledge as well as learning from other members.

Jodi Kerr Managing Director Shacks Motor Group My first role in the automotive industry was working the reception in the family business on Saturday mornings as a 15-year-old. My career has spanned a number of industries since then, including health and management consulting, as well as involvement with the Strategy Development Team at RAC and the Board of the Shacks Motor Group. I have served on a number of Boards over the past 15 years, including not-for-profit organisations within the arts and health sectors. I took a full-time role as Managing Director for the Shacks Motor Group in 2020, taking over from my father who had been active in the business since 1969. My proudest achievements have been continuing to build and operate a 100 year old family business and partnership. The MTA WA provides important advocacy and training services to its membership, which spans a wide range of automotive businesses. I am proud to represent the needs and interests of the dealership network, to ensure that we continue to play a relevant and meaningful role.

Garry Spouge Owner and Director of MMT Modern Motor Trimmers I am a qualified motor trimmer completing my trade at MTT before it was called Transperth. I worked at Des Gregory Motor Trimmers, working on re-trimming luxury cars, before I started Modern Motor Trimmers in 1992, in a small workshop. 30 years later MMT is based in a custom building in Welshpool and we employ 27 people. I joined the board of the MTA WA as there is not a very big industry presence or representation for the motor trimming trade, and being on the Board allows me to gain an insight into the other parts on the motor industry.

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

INDUSTRY MATTERS With Graham Cawley General Manager Membership and Industry Engagement

Regulation struggling to

keep pace with innovation

nnovation. It is not a trendy new word or hashtag that only now applies to the automotive industry for we have been doing it since the demise of the horse and cart and we will continue to innovate because we must. Failure to do so means being left behind, a reduction in productivity when compared to competitors and, inevitably, a decline in business growth and revenue. The recent MTA WA Automotive Awards showcased the leaders in our industry in their respective categories and one thing they all had in common was a focus on innovation. From robots building canopies to new approaches to attract clients, these businesses are constantly employing new processes to improve productivity and deliver an improved customer experience. However, award recipients are not the only businesses innovating in our industry and I have seen first-hand production processes and revolutionary equipment that make you realise we have a problem. The industry is innovating at such a pace that regulators cannot keep up, and this is largely due to legislation being reactive and not proactive. Legislation is ordinarily created because there is a perceived risk that needs to be managed, but sometimes our industry faces roadblocks because legislation is outdated and inflexible. In many instances, the legislation was written at a time when quality control, equipment and processes were no where near as advanced as we see today. These requirements can sometimes be seen as excessive and, in a lot of cases,

redundant. However, the regulators have little choice but to apply the current legislation. We know that the heavy vehicle licensing process is cumbersome and needs review and industry forms need to go online (electronic) to improve ease of use and efficiency. Unfortunately second-stage manufacturers have more engineering evidence and expertise than those who are making decisions. The MTA WA continues to engage with regulators to identify solutions in order to break down the barriers to innovation and push the boundaries of inflexible legislation. In the first quarter of 2024, the MTA WA will invite senior bureaucrats to visit member facilities in order to better understand how unnecessary levels of

control are affecting innovation and to illustrate systems the industry employs to minimise the effects of this resistance to change. We regularly meet with State Government agencies to discuss the development of industry policy agenda items and we are confident that with regular stakeholder meetings we will continue to deliver positive outcomes for our members. The MTA WA, together with our state and territory counterparts and the MTAA, continues to work proactively on legislative reforms such as the Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14, National Codes of Practice, National Heavy Vehicle Law review and many other reviews for the benefit of the industry as a whole. MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

Ensuring technicians are

safely EV Ready

TA WA’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Manager Mel Greenhow has a very important message for technicians considering working on hybrid or electric vehicles without first undertaking training – don’t. “Any motor vehicle, regardless of its powertrain, has the same basic componentry keeping it safely on the road and these systems will always need periodic inspection to ensure the vehicle is not potentially dangerous,” Mel said, referring in particular to brakes, suspension and steering. “However, a hybrid or full electric vehicle has a high voltage system running throughout the car all the time and if a technician is not EV savvy, there is a very high risk of personal injury, or worse, due to not knowing what is safe and what is not,” Mel said. He strongly advises that all technicians undertake an appropriate level of hybrid and EV training prior to taking on any sort of servicing in relation to these vehicles. As the leading training provider offering electric vehicle education in Western Australia, the MTA WA is committed to ensuring the safety of the technicians the industry requires in a changing automotive landscape. The MTA WA is encouraging technicians to undertake a self-paced online course, Working Safely with Battery and Hybrid Electric Vehicles, as the initial introduction to understanding the safety precautions required when working with hybrid and electric vehicles. “We’re not playing with batteries or high voltage componentry but rather explaining how to depower an electric vehicle, how to conduct standard checks to ensure safe-working, outlining minimum PPE equipment required, such as 1,000 volt gloves, and so on,” Mel said. Upon completion of the online course, participants are required to undertake a practical in-house assessment in order to attain the nationally recognised competency accreditation. The online course is a precursor to an intensive 5-day workshop-based training course at the AIT where the focus is very much on understanding and working with hybrid and electric vehicle technology, including the maintenance of critical cooling systems. “When electricity is in operation, it generates a massive amount of heat,” Mel explained. “Battery packs and inverters have cooling systems that must be maintained

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

correctly to avoid corrosion and subsequent expensive replacement.”

EV Apprenticeship pathway An exciting addition to the current courses on offer through the AIT is a new apprenticeship pathway, a Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology, which will come on stream in the new year. The Certificate III will ensure apprentices understand the principals underpinning the systems and subsystems involved in the operation of electric vehicles, including diagnosis of problems, servicing and the repair of auxiliary vehicle management systems. The new apprenticeship pathway was met with strong enthusiasm from attendees at the recent EV Expo held at the Perth Convention Centre. In a further endorsement of the MTA WA’s position as the leader for EV training, not only in WA but nationally, Tesla Western Australia will engage the AIT for apprentice training from 2025. As well as a considerable number of vehicle manufacturers, automotive lecturers from TAFE WA are utilising the expertise of the MTA WA for EV and hybrid training along with many mineral resource companies, servicing franchises, the WA Police, several local councils and countless small businesses. With the EV Technology Certificate III commencing in January 2024, the MTA WA is encouraging interested trainees to consider a dual trade pathway by concurrently completing a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Technology.

‘EV Ready’ certification As well as providing training, the MTA WA is introducing a new ‘EV Ready’ certification that will assure WA motorists their mechanic has the relevant skills to work safely and competently on hybrid and electric vehicles. A new stand alone logo has been developed and will serve as a visual symbol of verification, identifying workshops who are certified by the MTA WA as hybrid and electric vehicle specialists. Technicians successfully completing the 5-day EV and hyrid training course will be certified as EV Ready and businesses will be able to use this logo as a valuable promotional tool. For further information on the EV training opportunities and the Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology, please contact the MTA WA training department on 9233 9800.

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TRAINING

Get ahead of the rest! Scan the QR code for more information.

Visit www.mtawa.com.au Email: studentinfo@mtawa.com.au Phone: 08 9233 9800

MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

The Capricorn MTA WA 2023 Automotive Awards, held at Crown Perth on the evening of Saturday August 12, was an outstanding success. Over 400 business leaders, owners and automotive technicians celebrated the best of the best in WA’s automotive industry at a magnificent gala event.

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With thanks to the sponsors who made the 2023 Awards possible 12

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023 2021

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Congratulations finalists and winners

Apprentice of the Year

Cameron Hewitt

Automotive Woman of the Year

Melisa Rowe

Small Automotive Business of the Year

Craig Marsh Mechanical

Finalists

Connor Crews

Katherine Little

Mattilda Davies

Melisa Rowe

Craig Marsh Mechanical

Cameron Hewitt

Oriana Tofan

Salvatore Palumbo

Michelle Weir

Jacob Zurzolo

Tayla Meredith

General Diesel Services Munster Muscle Cars Petchell Mechanical

Cameron Hewitt, Apprentice RAC Auto Services

Medium Automotive Business of the Year

Reneew Collision Repair Centre Finalists Modern Motor Trimmers Westerberg Panelbeaters & Towing

Melisa Rowe, Managing Director Esperance Smash Repairs

Large Automotive Business of the Year

New Town Toyota

Craig Marsh, Owner Craig Marsh Mechanical

Automotive Excellence Award

Reneew Collision Repair Centre

Finalists Westside Auto Wholesale

Finalists Craig Marsh Mechanical

RAC Auto Services

New Town Toyota

Reneew Collision Repair Centre

Tyrepower WA

Reneew Collision Repair Centre

Sovereign Automotive WA

RV Solutions WA Bert Bennett

Aaron Scagliotta, Director Reneew Collision Repair Centre

he Western Australian automotive industry’s night of nights, the 2023 Capricorn MTA WA Automotive Awards, was again another outstanding success as we acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of the exceptional people who make our industry great. Held once again at Crown Perth, the Grand Ballroom shimmered with glitz and glamour as over 400 MTA WA members, industry representatives and distinguished guests enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, fine dining and outstanding entertainment. While the evening is very much designed to showcase and recognise

Joe Zito, Dealer Principal New Town Toyota

the Award finalists and winners, it also provides a rare opportunity for members to get out of uniform and catch up with industry friends and work colleagues, exchange stories and socialise in a beautiful five-star setting. The response from the industry to the 2023 awards was overwhelming and MTA WA Group CEO Steve Moir acknowledged that the submissions received this year were of such a high standard that refining the number down to a shortlist of finalists was a very challenging process. “Whether you are a finalist or a winner, you can be justly proud of the fact that you represent the pinnacle of

Aaron Scagliotta, Director Reneew Collision Repair Centre

excellence and achievement in our industry,” Steve said. The depth of talent in all categories was on display for all to see and hear with the finalists’ significant contributions to the industry highlighted by Master of Ceremonies, host of 6PR’s afternoon show Oliver Peterson, as they approached the stage to receive a framed certificate of acknowledgement. Following an outstanding three course meal from the kitchens of Crown, and with many tables in the room now gracing awards, the evening took on a more social atmosphere. MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

Oliver Peterson donned his interviewer hat when the audience welcomed to the stage one of Australia’s most loved stage and screen actors Shane Jacobson, best known for his role as Kenny Smyth, the downto-earth portaloo plumber in the awardwinning film Kenny. As one of the busiest men in show business, this year’s special guest entertained with anecdotes from his remarkable career. However, it was his shared love of motoring and the automotive industry that brought him closer to the hearts of the assembled audience. Recounting stories from his childhood when the fascination with cars was first sparked by a candy apple red EH Holden rumbling in his local shopping centre car park through to his excitement at building a replica Peter Brock VB Commodore race car, Shane was epitome of the true-blue Aussie car enthusiast. His shared loved of all things automotive resonated with the audience as he described his enthusiasm for everything from going on a quiet drive in one of his classic cars to racing on some of the world’s iconic tracks – all delivered in his laid back, non pretentious and totally engaging manner. As Shane departed the stage to rapturous applause, Little Belle began their musical set of classic rock and pop and soon had the audience on their feet dancing and cheering, eventually bringing the curtains down on an unforgettable evening. The annual Automotive Awards, now in its fourth year, are testament to relentless dedication of MTA WA members to achieve excellence within our industry. Congratulations to all finalists and winners and thank you to all the members who made the evening such a memorable occasion.

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023 2021

MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

Medium Business of the Year 2023 Automotive Excellence Award

RENEEW COLLISION REPAIR CENTRE

aron Scagliotta had a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve when he began the journey to create Australia’s first, and currently only, dedicated electric vehicle paint and panel repair shop but even he could not have envisaged some of the outcomes. Less than 12 months since the official opening of Reneew Collision Repair Centre, this state-of -the-art future focused workshop has not only surpassed budget expectations, but also earned the accolade of 2023 MTA WA Medium Automotive Business of the Year. “I put a lot of time, effort and money into getting this project up and running and I took a big risk on what was essentially a handshake agreement with Tesla,” said Aaron, director of Reneew. “However, it has been so rewarding to see the concept turn into reality and for Reneew to be recognised with this award is actually a reflection on the team of fantastic people I’ve got around me who have helped me achieve this. “I feel so lucky to be surrounded by these amazing people who brought into my dream and made it their dream as well and now it’s become such a successful reality, the belief that there was a market for a dedicated EV accident repairer has been well and truly vindicated,” Aaron said. The ultra modern Reneew workshop, located in Bibra Lake, was designed from the ground up with the focus firmly on providing electric vehicle owners with the highest quality accident repair service utilising standard setting technologies and processes. The workshop features the latest in aluminium repair technologies, a stateof-the-art composite repair room in order to ensure a sterile environment with no potential contamination during the repair process and a highly efficient advanced paint line system. Utilising a dolly and rail track system to transport cars through the preparation,

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023 2021

paint, drying and polishing stages in a continuous line, Reneew is one of only two repairers in Western Australia to employ this cutting edge Italian technology. “I love the technological advancements and innovative processes that electric vehicles use to deliver their highly efficient outcomes and when I started this journey to establish Reneew several years ago, it was with the aim of creating a state-of-the-art shop with maximum operating efficiencies,” Aaron said. Technology aside, the success of the business is due to the highly specialised team Aaron has assembled and the importance he places on the investment in training and the strict adherence to all OEM procedural protocols. He describes this approach as “the Gino’s way”, a reference to the panel and paint business his father Basil established in 1973. Gino’s, also managed by Aaron since Basil’s retirement, is one the state’s busiest and most successful accident repairers. Reflecting on Reneew’s nomination and subsequent announcement as the 2023 Automotive Excellence Award winner – the MTA WA’s most prestigious honour – Aaron described the award as humbling and a great honour. Paying tribute to the lessons he learnt from his father, he said the environment that had been created with Reneew was essentially Gino’s 2.0 – “a shiny perfect

version of what we’ve always been.” “Now that I’ve had a little bit of time to think about it, I feel that this award is not just about Reneew but the lasting legacy to the industry from my family’s contribution and I am so proud that this has been recognised. “Reneew may be the jewel in the Gino’s Group crown, but at the end of the day this award is as much about acknowledging the past and my father’s lifelong commitment to the industry that began 50 years ago as it is about having created an amazing cutting-edge workshop designed for the future,” Aaron said. One of the things that Aaron and Basil Scagliotta have always been passionate about is the importance of training apprentices in order to give back to the industry.

“From day one, dad always understood the value of apprentices and what that taught me was that he was securing the future,” Aaron said. “We have continued to invest in training for our entire history because it gives us the ability to create the technicians that we need as well as ensuring the trade in general has quality people.” Like his father before him, Aaron is an active member of the MTA WA’s body repairers’ division. As well as being responsible for the creation of WA’s most advanced paint and panel

Large Business of the Year 2023

NEW TOWN TOYOTA

A Aaron Scagliotta, Reneew Collision Repair Centre, being presented with the Medium Automotive Business of the Year Award by Tony Ormrod, RAC WA.

workshop, it is this continued dedication to the betterment of the industry that makes Aaron Scagliotta and Reneew Collision Repair Centre such a worthy recipient of the Automotive Excellence Award. Reneew Collision Repair Centre has had a stellar 2023. Starting the year as a brand new enterprise targetting a potentially niche market, the initial trepidation Aaron Scagliotta felt about his venture has proven unfounded as the demand from electric vehicle owners requiring Reneew’s specialised service has been overwhelming. As further recognition of Aaron’s inspired vision, Reneew has been awarded Best New Shop and Best Customer Experience in the 2023 Body Shop Awards, the premier event for the Australian panel and paint industry. The gala presentation was held on the Gold Coast in Queensland in late November. Further to this Gino’s Joe Ricciardi was awarded Manager of the Year.

fter a long and successful career in the motor trades industry that includes establishing Kalamunda Toyota in 1983 and New Town Toyota 30 years ago, owner and Dealer Principal Joe Zito is not about to take his foot off the accelerator pedal. Having just overseen the development of a magnificent large new showroom and service centre on the New Town Toyota site in East Victoria Park, Joe’s passion for the automotive industry still burns as strongly as it did 30 years ago. As testament to his continued unbridled enthusiasm, this stalwart of the Western Australia motor trades industry was very proud that New Town Toyota was recognised as the MTA WA 2023 Large Automotive Business of the Year. With the major multi million dollar expansion to the showroom, workshop and parts department completed in November 2022, New Town Toyota’s physical presence now totals 26,0002 metres. Featuring an ultra-modern two storey high, 100 metre long view showroom, 50 metre long used vehicle showcase and a massive workshop now servicing over 100 cars daily, the award is a fitting acknowledgement of Joe’s approach to his business.

with them as a fellow human being, not a number. “Our brand promise is to make the experience of purchasing a new car, as well as the subsequent after sales service, a thoroughly engaging and pleasurable experience,” Joe said. The significant investment in the creation of a state-of-the-art automotive centre of excellence had provided buyers with a relaxed and enjoyable environment in which to do business and constructive feedback from satisfied customers ensured New Town Toyota continually improved its products and services, which in turn had lead to a high level of customer loyalty Joe said. There is no doubt that supply issues have impacted on customer relations regardless of brand. Record demand for vehicles over recent years and a slowdown in production due to the Covid pandemic is well documented. Joe Zito, Dealer Principal for New Town Toyota accepts the Large Automotive Business of the Year Award from Geoffrey Lowe, Spirit Super.

“Every customer is valued,” Joe said. “What is most important to me is that we provide a highly professional, but personalised, service to help customers throughout the buying process. “In order to that, we must first earn trust and build up a good relationship which then hopefully leads to a transaction and, ultimately, the retention of that relationship for life. “At the end of the day, we commit to the customer’s needs, make sure we give them a great experience, both before and after a sale, and engage MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

However, Joe has taken a very proactive approach in his desire to circumvent some of these issues. “We took the position that we would attempt to source the new or used vehicles our customers wanted,” Joe said. “It was a strategic approach to continue providing the best customer service we could.” It has taken Joe to various States, buying cars on behalf of customers and organising the required transportation. Another New Town Toyota success story is the growth of the parts department. “As a method of growing our customer base when vehicle supply issues were so acute we chose to grow our parts department and we have invested heavily in warehousing and technology as well as parts,” Joe said, outlining that New Town

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At the end of the day, we commit to the customer’s needs, make sure we give them a great experience, both before and after a sale, and engage with them as a fellow human being, not a number.

Toyota is the number one supplier of Toyota parts in Australia. “We also do a lot of reconditioning, particularly for commercial vehicles operating in harsh mining conditions,” he said. “Occupational health and safety is paramount and the mining companies must have safe vehicles for employees so we are sourcing and supplying a lot of parts every day in order to keep these vehicles working for our mining customers,” Joe said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about retention of customers and if you’re providing excellent service and looking after their needs, they will stay with you. Satisfied customers become advocates, sharing positive experiences

with family and friends, thereby attracting potential new sales. It’s the cornerstone of my philosophy and approach to business.” Aside from the very obvious desire to provide customers with an outstanding experience, it is also Joe’s business acumen and all-round automotive knowledge that makes New Town Toyota a very worthy winner of this award. “My father, who ran a workshop in the country, was able to do everything automotive from mechanical work to panel and paint and welding and I think it’s a tremendous advantage to have that broad range of knowledge,” Joe said. “At the end of the day, if you haven’t got the experience, it’s very hard to find the solutions to problems, and while there are obviously major priorities, we make sure the little things at the lowest level are done correctly. “I think we do this very well and as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, I think that is a major reason for our success.”

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

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Small Business of the Year 2023

CRAIG MARSH MECHANICAL

raig Marsh owes a debt of gratitude to his youngest child. The catalyst for establishing Craig Marsh Mechanical, the 2023 MTA WA Small Business of the Year, was a letter from his then fiveyear-old daughter, Shelby, telling him how much she missed him because he was never home. Working for Titan Ford at the time while also establishing a client base in the early 1990’s working outside of normal working hours, Craig became the epitome of a workaholic mechanic. “I had a good workshop at my parent’s house and when I finished the day’s work at Titan Ford, I would go straight there and work every single night till 10pm on client’s cars,” Craig said, explaining that he was never home for dinner.

said, explaining that good customer relations are built on trust. “I always instill into my customers that we do need to do this, this and this but other items are not urgent and can be looked at in the future.” He is also an advocate of fixing things where possible as opposed to replacing them as a matter of course. “We do an honest job for an honest wage and also have a reputation, particularly in Ford circles, for taking on the problem jobs that other workshops are struggling with.”

“I’d been with Titan Ford for 15 years and after I received that letter, I handed my notice in immediately and began just working for myself, initially with a mobile van but also with the backup of the workshop,” Craig said.

Craig also has a reputation for looking after customers on a humanitarian level, including discounted repair costs for pensioners and, on one occasion, providing free of charge servicing to a car he knew was being lived in by a homeless person.

That was 2009 and he has never looked back.

Craig Marsh Mechanical has an customer retention rate of over 80

Despite over 30 years in the trade, Craig is as passionate today as he was when the General Manager of Houghton Ford offered him an apprenticeship in 1987. He stayed with Houghtons until 1994. “My wife Jo thinks I’m mad when I say I absolutely love what I do,” said Craig. “I just can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing as I just love working on cars.” As his reputation for outstanding service grew, so did the need for new premises. Since 2016 Craig Marsh Mechanical has been operating out of two factory units in Maddington. The ongoing and considerable growth in the business through a very loyal customer base and strong word of mouth recommendations is testament to Craig’s approach to business, his incredible work ethic and attention to detail second to none. “John Hughes had a big influence on my business philosophy,” Craig 20

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Customers now send their children and grand children to us as they won’t trust anyone else.

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percent and countless five-star social media ratings but one aspect of his client base that gives Craig particular satisfaction is looking after the cars of three generations from the same family. “These customers now send their children and grand children to us as they won’t trust anyone else,” Craig explained proudly. “Our growth has been very strong given that it was only five years ago that I took on my first apprentice, who is now a very valued part of the team as a fully qualified technician,” he said. The workshop is also training a fourth year and a first year apprentice, who Craig described as being “even more fanatical about cars than I am and a terrific mechanic in the making.” Interestingly Craig’s journey in the automotive industry started with him briefly working at a paint and panel

shop as a 16 year old, an experience he describes as hating. Finding his true calling as a mechanic has proven to be a labour of love as well as a career and when he eventually stops working on client’s cars, it is his intention to spend retirement working on his personal collection of muscle cars. Reflecting on the MTA WA Small Business of the Year Award, Craig said he was just happy to be nominated and absolutely gob smacked to have been announced as the winner. “It means the world to us,” he said. “The number of people who have congratulated us is just overwhelming and it is so rewarding to have loved doing all this work over the years and then to receive some recognition not just from customers, but from the industry as a whole.” Craig Marsh of Craig Marsh Mechanical proudly accepts the Small Business of the Year Award presented by Small Business Development Corporation Commissioner David Eaton.

Automotive Woman of the Year 2023

MELISA ROWE

hat was intended to be a one-year tenure in Esperance when her husband David was appointed coach of the local football team has turned into an amazing 28year journey of discovery for Melisa Rowe, 2023 MTA WA Automotive Woman of the Year. “We just fell in love in the place, bought the windscreens business within three months of arriving and have never left,” Melisa said, acknowledging that she feels very lucky to live in one of the State’s most beautiful locations. Along with Esperance Windscreens O’Brien, the couple have also owned and run Esperance Smash Repairs, the largest such business in the town, for the past 17 years. Funnily enough, Melisa explains “that I am not a car person” and that “I just stumbled into the automotive role” in order to help her husband following a devastating hail storm in the town 22 years ago.

“Hundreds of cars were damaged and we were absolutely inundated with work, as was the smash repair business we shared premises with, so with our new baby in arms, I got down to helping out both businesses with organising invoicing and paperwork,” she said. And so began a journey which has led this highly motivated and energetic woman to establish a legacy which may in the future extend beyond the town she now calls home. “Part of the problem with rural towns like ours is that young people are leaving once they complete their apprenticeships for the lure of the big money offered by the mining industry. “We can’t compete with those wages, but within our businesses we have been very lucky with staff retention over the years and perhaps that’s because we treat everyone as family,” Melisa said. At the heart of the advocacy that saw Melisa selected as Automotive Woman of the Year over a number of very

worthy candidates is her desire to help people progress within their chosen career. “I am extremely passionate about giving tradespeople within the automotive industry leadership skills and, in particular, helping small businesses in remote and regional locations manage the challenges of retaining staff,” Melisa said. Having been involved locally with establishing leadership and mentoring programs, Melisa is a very strong advocate for the transformative power of such personal development courses. “There is a massive divide between being on the tools and having the skills to run a business so I have continually looked at finding an answer to the question of “What happens when these people finish their apprenticeship,” she said. “What comes next for them if they want to take things further?” Melisa’s enthusiasm for providing young people with additional skills MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

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In our motor industry we teach people to be an excellent tradesperson but we don’t teach them life skills or give them the confidence to take the next step in their career.

to strength and not only is Melisa currently mentoring a participant, but two of her young staff are also involved.

Automotive Woman of the Year Melisa Rowe of Esperance Smash Repairs with Jay Opdam, RAC WA

post apprenticeship is born from her own personal experience in attaining leadership acumen 12 years ago. “I was very lucky to secure a grant from the Australian government to be part of the Australian Rural Leadership Course, a two-year program designed to teach leadership skills by mentoring participants through various scenarios which included learning survival skills, media training, politics and governance and working with homeless people” she said. “The course gave me a whole new skill set, cemented my confidence and I took on roles that previously I’d felt unqualified for, including a two-year tenure as President of the Esperance Chamber of Commerce (ECCI).” With this focus, Melisa and the ECCI established a 12-month program through the Esperance Chamber of Commerce 10 years ago – the Future Leaders’ Program – for 18 to 30 year olds. “We had around 10 participants matched up with individual mentors and the aim was to teach them some leadership and communication skills and to give them the confidence to take the next step in their journey,” she said. “This was incredibly successful and I’m super proud that of those initial participants, many have remained in Esperance and are successfully running their own local business and those that left have pursued amazing careers..” Like so many good ideas, a lack of funding put the program on the back burner for a couple of years, but, rebranded two years ago as the Esperance Ravensthorpe Leadership Initiative, it has gone from strength 22

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

Melisa is keen to roll this program out to the wider community and sees an opportunity in larger towns and cities for such a course to be industry specific. “In our motor industry we teach people to be an excellent tradesperson but we don’t teach them life skills or give them the confidence to take the next step in their career if they wish,” she said. Speaking of her own experience with Esperance Smash Repairs, Melisa said some mature age apprentices were encouraged to fast track trade certificates in both panel and paint which, when combined with a business management course, could easily give them the skills to run a business in the future.

“My question is this,” Melisa said. “Where does the next generation of automotive business owners come from when we’re ready to move on if we haven’t given the younger tradespeople the necessary skills to take over?” As MTA WA Automotive Woman of Year, an accolade she describes as very humbling, Melisa is looking forward to continuing her work in promoting leadership opportunities for young people and hopefully gaining further exposure for the concept within WA and the automotive industry in particular. With great humility, Melisa acknowledged that “she couldn’t walk this path without the unwavering support of my husband and business partner David and our amazing staff.”

Apprentice of the Year 2023

CAMERON HEWITT

ameron Hewitt, winner of the 2023 MTA WA Apprentice of the Year Award, is the first to admit that he did not foresee a future in the automotive industry when he completed his secondary schooling. Interested in animal studies but with a passion for electronics, inherited from his electrical engineer father, he actually began studying cyber security at TAFE before the lack of hands-on involvement and an ever-increasing taste for off-road four-wheel driving sparked his interest in the world of automotive engineering. “I was always handy on the tools, whether working on projects with dad or at school, but it was when I got into four wheel driving and stuff started to break that I began to take a real interest in how things automotive actually work,” Cameron said. “I reached out to a few places, started an apprenticeship a year and a half after I left school with a Toyota four wheel drive specialist and immediately knew that this was the right career for me.”

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This award and the recognition makes all the hard work and the late nights totally worth it.

continues to expand his ‘puzzle’ knowledge by pursuing various internal technical courses as well as dismantling components in his own time to gain a better understanding of how things work. His ability to meet productivity targets set for qualified technicians was also highlighted by Norm as testament to his time management and organisational skills, along with his willingness to undertake more complex projects in the workshop. In keeping with his employer’s ethos, Cameron said that he gained immense satisfaction from helping customers. This attitude also extends to the workshop where he was commended

Cameron Hewitt, Apprentice of the Year with Geoffrey Lowe, Spirit Super

for proactively sharing knowledge and mentoring fellow apprentices. Describing being named as the MTA WA’s Apprentice of the Year as an absolute honour, Cameron said the recognition “had made all the hard work and the late nights totally worth it.” “I am so grateful to the MTA WA and RAC Auto Services for the opportunities that I have had, and continue to have, to learn more about advancing automotive technologies, including electric vehicles and electronic driver aids. “I am so excited about what my future holds.”

Wishing to broaden his horizon beyond a specialised repairer, Cameron found his home with RAC Auto Services in 2021 and since then has more than proved himself as an invaluable asset to the team. Now in his fourth year as a light vehicle apprentice, Cameron said the automotive world was a perfect fit for him for it combined his passion for all things electronic as well as his enjoyment from “working on the tools and discovering how things work.” “I love the fact that every day is a new challenge with new issues to work through and new discoveries to be made. Cars are like a big puzzle and I love figuring out how to put the puzzle back together correctly,” Cameron said Acknowledged by RAC Auto Service Manager, Norm Bromley as a highly motivated individual, Cameron MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

From left to right; Jason Fay, Johnny Kyriacou, Stephen Spini, Simone Maple Paul Harvey and Renato Baroni.

Meet the AES team Stephen Spini

Simone Maple

Johnny Kyriacou

Apprentice Employment Manager

Apprenticeship Employment Administrator

Apprentice Employment Consultant

What is your favourite past time?

What makes you enjoy working in the automotive industry?

What are some positive aspects of working for the MTA WA?

Prior to having my children, I worked for a number of training organisations, so this position aligns with my area of expertise. I work with a great bunch of guys who share similar views to me and my warped sense of humour. We all work well as a team and have the best interest of the apprentices and hosts at heart. Coming to work is truly an enjoyable experience.

We are an organisation that exists for the benefit of the industry. Helping people, especially in the industry I’m passionate about, is very rewarding.

What does your role involve on a daily basis?

What does the AES Team do best?

I have been involved with the Perth Football League as a goal umpire for the past 14 years and I have now amassed over 500 games. I enjoy bike riding , watching the AFL and spending time with my family.

How long have you worked at the MTA WA? I have been employed by the MTA WA for 11 years and seven years prior to the merger.

What does the AES Team do best? We provide a great support service for both apprentices and host employers. The apprentice employment consultants assist with all types of issues including incentives for the host. We concern ourselves with the safety and working relationship between both parties - endeavouring to resolve any issues that arise.

What advice would you give host employers on how to get the most out of the AES experience? 1. To be honest with themselves about the reasons they are seeking to employ an apprentice. Do they have realistic expectations and are they aware of their obligations when it comes to taking on an apprentice? 2. Are you prepared to teach and show them what to do? This is paramount to ensure that the apprentice is engaged and that the overall apprenticeship is a success. The attendance in the classroom makes up 20% of the learning with the balance coming from good onthe-job training provided by the host. 24

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023 2021

My role involves a variety of things. I look after the state and federal government incentive payments which we pass on to the hosts. I look after the applications that come in and send out aptitude tests to potential candidates. I enrol all new apprentices into our data base and prepare their files for sign ups each week. I’ve also recently taken on TAFE reimbursements for the apprentices that attend external TAFE colleges.

How long have you worked at the MTA WA? I have been working with the MTA WA for two and half years.

What does the AES Team do best? To apprentices we provide support and help them, when necessary, to get through their apprenticeship. For the hosts, we take care of the hiring process, which covers all the administration paperwork, including organising wages.

What’s your favourite part of the role? Assisting both workshops and hosts in finding apprentices and giving an apprentice a chance to start their career in the industry.

Our best quality is that we employ and then nurture apprentices in multiple trades, ensuring that they reach their end goal of a qualification.

What would you say are the two top qualities of an exceptional host employer? 1. An exceptional host employer facilitates and supports apprentices with their needs, conscious that they are new to the trade, and; 2. Gives an apprentice a diverse array of opportunities in the workshop to expand their knowledge.

Jason Fay Apprentice Employment Consultant

Have you always worked in the automotive industry, or did you previously do something different? I would not say it was completely different but it certainly wasn’t like automotive. I worked in the Western Australian Rock Lobster Industry and the maritime industry for over 25 years, becoming a qualified skipper as well as a marine engineer.

How did you end up working for the MTA WA? I started with the MTA WA five years ago with the training department. I wanted to make a change from working with my hands to working with apprentices and trainees to help them enter the automotive industry. Getting the opportunity to work for The Apprentice Employment Services has been great and I have found the role to be a great experience.

What does the AES Team do best? We are flexible with both the host employer and the trainee/apprentice in all aspects of the employment. As a team, we are able to provide assistance where needed, like extra support, guidance and mentorship to all.

Renato Baroni Apprentice Employment Consultant

Tell us about your history in the automotive industry I started and completed an apprenticeship in the automotive industry straight after high school. I then completed a Certificate of Automotive Engineering after I was trade qualified. I have held various roles in both large and small automotive businesses including dealerships. I’ve now been a part of this industry for 39 years.

What do you believe is unique about the industry? You never stop learning.

What does the AES Team do best? We’re very good at dealing with the inevitable challenges that arise from working with people. We are skilled negotiators and mediators, so we are well-equipped to put out fires and handle personality clashes.

What would you say are the two top qualities of an exceptional host? Patience and a willingness to pass on their knowledge.

What advice would you give host employers on how to get the most out of The Apprentice Employment Services experience? 1. To give honest feedback on what your expectations are. This will help us as a team to give you the best person for the role. 2. To be aware of the importance of your requirements and responsibilities to the trainee/apprentice during their time with you.

Paul Harvey Assistant Apprentice Employment Manager

What is your favourite past time? Family time is what is most important to me. I have three adult children, eight grandchildren and I am very proud of all their achievements. Outside of family, I’m very hands-on with house and garden renovations and I like to think of myself as an all-round home handyman. I spent many years coaching sporting teams and still like to keep fit by cycling, walking and enjoying outdoor activities.

How long have you worked at the MTA WA? I have been in the automotive industry since commencing a heavy duty apprenticeship in January 1977. I started with the MTA WA in December 2006 as a trainer and assessor. This role has been a natural progression for my career, given my industry knowledge, years in safety, life experience as a father to three fantastic young adults and my coaching/ mentoring background.

What does the AES Team do best? I believe that the AES team does an excellent job of listening to the needs of our host employers and getting the right candidate. Our ability to assist with

apprentice employment responsibilities, allows our host employers to focus on their core business. It gives them peace of mind that their apprentice will be managed correctly.

What advice would you give host employers on how to get the most out of the AES experience? 1. Get to know your apprentice employment consultant. Discuss what you and your business want to achieve. Never kid yourself that an apprentice is a replacement for a skilled tradesperson. A first year apprentice will take at least 6 months to a year before showing signs of productivity. 2. Bringing the AES Team on board gives you the opportunity to access a wealth of specialised knowledge so maximise your use of this resource. We have been part of the success of many successful businesses. 3. Keep your apprentice stimulated. Give them new tasks until they can master each. Give them positive feedback when they deserve it. Like all things in life, you get out what you put in. Remember one day your apprentice, once qualified, may be running or managing your business. There is already a long list of MTA WA apprentices that have ended up running the businesses we first placed them in. The future of our industry is in your hands.

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business, we’ll manage business, we’ll manage Running a business iswe’ll hard work and we know that business owners business, your apprentice.manage are expected to wear many hats. When it comes to employing an your apprentice. apprentice, you can leave that with us, so that you can focus on your apprentice.

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benefits

If you are in need of an apprentice, get in touch today. If you are in need of an apprentice, get in touch today. Visit: mtawa.com.au gtoemp@mtawa.com.au If you are in need of anEmail: apprentice, get in touch today.

Call: 08 9233 9800 MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

The man behind celebration of the motorcar THE CELEBRATION OF THE MOTORCAR IS ONE OF THE PREMIER DISPLAYS ON THE AUSTRALIAN MOTORING CALENDAR. HOWEVER THE SHOW IS JUST ONE STRING TO CURATOR PAUL BLANK’S AUTOMOTIVE BOW. WORDS: PAUL ROBERTS

hile many of us entertain the thought of turning something we truly love into a lifelong career, it is rare to meet someone who has not only achieved this goal, but continues to reinvent the dream. Paul Blank is the man behind Celebration of the Motorcar, Western Australia’s premier display of rare, classic and exotic cars, and arguably the finest car show in the country. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Paul’s enthusiasm for bringing together the crème de la crème of Western Australia’s motoring exotica is still as strong today as it was when he first conceived the idea all those years ago. “My wish with the first Celebration of the Motorcar was to do something quite different to any other car show in Western Australia,” Paul explained.

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

“There has always been an amazing number of truly fabulous and extremely valuable cars in WA but a lot of these vehicles never get to be seen by the public at the regular car shows. “My dream was to bring together the finest possible collection of interesting cars from some of the great marques and from all eras of motoring history and I’m very proud that we continue to make this event bigger and better every year,” Paul said. This year’s multi-million dollar display of motoring jewels, sourced mainly from private Western Australian collections, took place on December 3 at Victoria Gardens in East Perth’s picturesque Claisebrook Cove. The history of this unique flagship event on the Western Australian motoring calendar stems from Paul’s lifelong involvement in the classic car movement.

“I knew many of the owners of these fabulous cars from my involvement in Western Australian car clubs and I received strong support for the concept,” Paul said. “I got a charity involved, as this has always been a very important aspect behind the idea, and that first event, held at the Cottesloe Civic Centre, was such an outstanding success that I knew we had created something very special.” Well over 2,000 spectators attended the 1993 celebration with the Speech and Hearing Centre (now the Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre) being the major beneficiary. This year, proceeds were donated to Wheels for Hope, the automotive industry foundation managing wheelchair accessible vehicles to improve mobility options for disabled people and a cause also supported by the MTA WA. From French automotive artistry through to British luxury, American extravagance, Italian beauty and German efficiency, it is the variety of cars on display, from 100 plus year old vintage automotive treasure through to the most exotic supercars

‘‘

Every year, I make sure we have an Ferrari F40 as part of the display because they are just fabulous and the public absolutely love them. It always either wins or comes second in the People’s Choice Award. Paul Blank, Automotive Events Management

currently on the market, that makes Celebration of the Motorcar so unique. But it’s also what you won’t see that makes this event special – there is nothing ‘ordinary’. “Essentially we are displaying prestige marques and the highest quality of automotive engineering and styling so no matter how beautifully an Australian Holden or Ford, for example, is restored, those sort of cars don’t fit into the ethos of Celebration of the Motorcar,” Paul explained. Establishing a tradition that continues to this day, that first event featured as the star attraction a then current Ferrari flagship supercar, the legendary F40. The only one in Australia at the time, it was

transported from the Eastern States specifically for the event. “Nothing like that had ever been seen in Perth before and it was faster, more dramatic and probably worth more than any other vehicle in Australia,” Paul said. “Every year, I make sure we have an F40 as part of the display because they are just fabulous and the public absolutely love them. It always either wins or comes second in the People’s Choice Award,” he said. The owner was unable to attend the inaugural event at the last minute, so Paul’s love for Ferrari F40s was galvanised when he found himself in the enviable position of having to drive the car, something he rates as one of his automotive highlights. MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

And there are many highlights to choose from. The Celebration of the Motorcar is just one of his creations for Paul is a car aficionado who continues to create a legacy in classic car circles. Born with a passion for all things automotive, Paul completed his degree in industrial and product design before establishing Automagination in the mid-1980s, initially designing and producing superbly engineered Range Rover convertibles and supplying high end after-market car accessories. Following the success of these unique Range Rovers, the business continued to design and custom modify a variety of prestige cars, tailored to a customer’s particular tastes and requirements. By the early 1990s, and having participated a few times in the Grand Prix Rally “having the time of my life”, he established Automotive Events Management (AEM) and organised what was among the first

Paul Blank, creator and curator of the Celebration of the Motorcar, is a genuine ‘car nut’.

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

events in the world of competitive classic car rallies.

I did, it worked and I’ve done it every year since, Covid excepted,” he said.

For a decade, the successful and aptly named Classic Rally took competitors in classic and sporting cars on a fully catered three-day competitive navigation rally interspersed with timed closed road sprints, circuit sprints, hillclimbs, motorkhanas and auto tests.

With a maximum of 16 participants, the self-drive guided European tours, each year uniquely different, take in historic motorsport events, automotive museums and the opportunity to drive some of Europe’s iconic racing circuits.

European tours In 2005 Paul found himself enticed into another automotive adventure under his Automotive Events Management moniker. “I’d been to Europe two and three times and gone to lots of great car museums and events and had a fabulous time and I’d come back and talk to people about what I had seen and done and they’d say ‘I wish I could do that’,” Paul explained. “I thought well I’m running successful events in Australia so why don’t I put a European tour together?

Paul’s passion for all things automotive is genuine and infectious. A true ‘car nut’, he has kept a detailed list of every car he has ever driven, to date numbering well over 1,000, and has personally owned a huge variety of cars, including his all time favourite, the futuristic and beautiful Citroen DS. “From the early days of Automagination, my career has kind of morphed into various automotive adventures and while I’m not a rich man because of it, every day I get to do what I love,” Paul enthused. “I have met some of the most amazing automotive people and seen and driven some of the most incredible cars and, for me, that is a real richness in life that you can’t put a dollar value on.”

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Young Perth driver

living his dream

AT JUST 21 YEARS OF AGE, PERTH BORN AARON LOVE HAS ALREADY MADE HIS MARK ON THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORT STAGE. NOW WITH A FIRST BATHURST 1000 UNDER HIS BELT, AARON’S FOCUS IS FIRMLY ON SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER CLASS.

WORDS: PAUL ROBERTS

s there something in Perth drinking water? When it comes to producing world-class racing drivers, Perth certainly punches above its weight as the birth place of Formula 1’s Daniel Riccardo, newly-crowned V8 Supercar champion Brodie Kostecki, five times Bathurst winner Garth Tander and Le Mans and Daytona class winner James Allen, to name but a few. Another young Perth protegé making his mark in the world of top level motorsport is 21 year old Aaron Love, former multiple race winner in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and V8 Supercar’s second tier Super2 Championship. A very level-headed and incredibly focussed and ambitious individual, Aaron’s motorsport CV belies his young age and his wealth of experience, both in Australia and overseas, now includes competing in the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar endurance races. Aaron’s journey from Christchurch Grammar school boy to the V8 Supercar paddock, a place he is now very happy to call home after a stint in Europe, is somewhat different to many of his peers. “I guess I’ve taken a slightly different tack than others more by the fact that I needed to find out exactly what I really wanted to do with my racing career,” Aaron said. The youngest ever driver to compete in a Porsche Carrera Cup Australia race when, at the age of 17, he debuted in the 2019 season-ending Gold Coast round, Aaron had his sights firmly on a racing career in Europe. He claimed his maiden race win in the COVID shortened 2020 season and finished fifth overall in the similarly impacted 2021 series. Taking 12 wins in 18 race starts,

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

BELOW AND TOP LEFT: Aaron Love in his Gen 3 Ford Mustang during the 2023 Bathurst 1000 race.

ABOVE: Aaron began racing go karts in what was supposed to be “just the family getting together and having some fun.” It soon spiralled out of control with Aaron and older brother Jordan both having successful motorsport careers.

he came within a whisker of winning the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup championship despite missing two of the eight meetings due to racing commitments overseas. “Initially my goal was always to end up in Europe racing GT cars so all my focus and energy went into fulfilling that dream,” Aaron said, explaining that Carrera Cup, a worldwide series designed by Porsche Motorsport as a development pathway for drivers, provided the opportunity to get a foothold into the highly competitive world of international racing. “However, after a few months of living it and breathing it while competing in the French Carrera Cup series in 2022 and gaining a first hand experience of the GT racing world in Europe, I pretty quickly discovered that isn’t where I wanted to be and that Australia would be my future,” he said.

the team owner, and that feeling of having a much bigger role than just driving the car and being part of what is essentially a family striving for the same goal is so much more enjoyable and rewarding for me,” Aaron said, demonstrating the steely focus of a driver who knows exactly where his priorities lie. Going down the Porsche development driver route created an air of expectation in Aaron that although Supercars was definitely a good series, going to Europe to race would be so much better, “and while it is for some, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.” “At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself ‘is this what I really want to do?’ and if the answer is ‘no’ then you have to change your aspirations,” Aaron said.

Interestingly it wasn’t homesickness that created the disparity between the dream and the reality but rather the culture of the racing teams in Europe.

“In motorsport it’s very difficult to achieve your ultimate goals and if you’re trying to pursue something that’s not exactly where you want to be, then you’re never going to be able to put in your very best performance.”

“Obviously you miss family and friends but that’s always been part of my career having started at a young age, so that really didn’t impact my decision at all,” Aaron said.

That said, the experience of living and racing in Europe was, in Aaron’s own words, “priceless” – both in his development as a driver and a person.

“For me it was that in Europe as a driver you are very much more isolated within these very large teams and you only have one role which is essentially just trying to get the absolute maximum out of car and then going home.

“People ask if I miss being over there and I don’t miss the racing and I don’t miss living in Europe but the one thing I really enjoyed last year was the whole adventure of it and I feel very privileged to have had that experience,” he said.

“There’s a different culture in Australian teams in that it’s common for everyone to be immersed in all aspects of a team whether you’re running the social media or you’re

Aaron has now well and truly found his home within the Australian V8 Supercars family, fittingly as a full-time driver in the second-tier Super2 category for MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

‘‘ ‘‘

In Super2 you can get a good result with a 100 percent lap with no mistakes but in the main game you have to find something greater than 100 percent, greater than 105 percent even, still make no mistakes and maximise absolutely everything to get that same result.

Blanchard Racing Team (BRT), a family-owned team run by father and son John and Tim Blanchard and backed by Cool Drive Auto Parts, a company established by John’s father in 1977. “There is a very close connection between BRT and my former Australian Porsche team, Sonic, and one of the reasons I joined BRT is they embrace that same family oriented immersive team approach that I grew up with at Sonic and I find that sort of environment is a very important thing for me,” Aaron explained. BRT have only run one car in the main game V8 Supercars series this year, but will become a two car team in 2024. This created the opportunity to run a wildcard second Mustang in the two V8 Supercars endurance races, giving the young driver his first taste of driving in the main game. Following a solid run to the chequered flag in both the Sandown and Bathurst races, combined with several impressive race wins during his Super2 campaign, it was recently announed that Aaron will be one of the two fulltime V8 Supercars drivers for BRT in 2024. Describing both endurance races as “character building”, Aaron explained that making the step up from the second tier was “challenging, eye opening and not quite what you really expect it to be like.” “The biggest difference between Super2 and the main game, and it’s almost quite an obvious one, is that the guys racing the Gen 3 Supercars are the best of the best and when you put even a good driver into one of those

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

cars, but one who has no experience of the category, he’s always going to struggle initially against those guys,” Aaron explained. That said, Aaron and co-driver Jake Kostecki, performed well in both endurances races, earning high praise from team owner Tim Blanchard. “In Super2, or even Carrera Cup, a few tenths of a second can cover first to tenth place in qualifying and then there’s a small drop off in talent and therefore times,” Aaron said. “In Supercars, a few tenths can mean the difference between pole position and last place.” Further explaining the contrast, he said that a driver in the lower tiers could get away with a 100 percent lap with no mistakes and end up with a good result but in Supercars “you have to find something greater than 100 percent, greater than 105 percent even, still make no mistakes and maximise absolutely everything to get that same result.” “I would compare that intensity, brought on by the level of drivers you’re competing against, with the two races I did last year in Porsche SuperCup as part of the lead up to the British and French Formula 1 Grand Prix where even a ‘bad’ driver out of the 30 on the grid is, on a global scale, obviously pretty good,” Aaron said. As an aside, Aaron finished 19th in the Porsche French Grand Prix support race. Aaron Love came within a whisker of being crowned champion in the 2022 Australian Porsche Carerra Cup, winning 12 out of the 18 races he competed in.

“I wouldn’t change any aspect of my career thus far at all because you never know until you know. I always thought I wanted to race in Europe and if I’d stayed in Australia I might still to this day think I wanted to go over there but seeing as I’ve done it, I can safely say that I enjoyed it and learnt so much but Australia is where I want to spend my racing career long term.” From a six-year-old trying out a go kart for the first time at a local Perth track to competing in some of the world’s fastest racing cars, Aaron Love’s motorsport journey has been nothing short of stellar and with age very much on his side, a wealth of raw speed and talent and the strong support of a team which embraces the same ‘family’ approach to racing as Aaron, the future looks very bright for this very ambitious young Perth driver. Aaron Love won race 1 in the second tier Super2 category at Bathurst.

Membership renewal leads to

surprise Bathurst trip

embership of the MTA WA as part of the Tyrepower group brings many benefits to franchise owners, but for one lucky store proprietor, early renewal of membership came with a very special and unexpected reward.

“The racing over the entire weekend was great and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of having a few beers on the Sunday as these amazing cars sped past.” “I would very like to thank the MTA WA for providing such a fantastic prize,” said Daren.

“Tyrepower WA organises all our that side of our business, so to be selected as the winner of a trip to Bathurst for the 60th anniversary race was a great surprise and a wonderful experience,” said Daren McHugh of Mundaring Tyrepower. The prize included flights, accommodation, hire car, a scenic helicopter flight over the Mount Panorama circuit and complimentary entry to the Bathurst Motor Museum for two people. “Having never been to Bathurst before, it was a truly fantastic prize to win and I had a really good time,” said Daren. Highlights included catching up with some mates who were camping at the top of mountain “so I got to enjoy the traditional Bathurst experience” as well as the helicopter flight to get a bird’s eye view of the iconic circuit. “I’ve been in in helicopters previously, but I took my son Daniel and he particularly enjoyed the ride over the circuit,” said Daren.

Darren McHugh’s son Daniel pictured at Mount Panorama Bathurst

MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

FOCUS ON INNOVATION

Adventure

driven by design

on’t imitate, innovate is an adage that Jimmy Egan, owner of Core Offroad, has championed throughout his business career.

WITH A PASSION FOR ALL THINGS ON THE MORE EXTREME SIDE OF 4WD CAMPING, JIMMY EGAN AND THE CORE OFFROAD TEAM HAVE TAKEN THEIR INNOVATIVE CANOPY DESIGNS TO NEW HEIGHTS.

Whether referring to the design and manufacture of the company’s renowned off-road camping canopies or the marketing nous used to discover and promote to new customers, innovation is at the heart of everything Core Offroad strives to achieve. “When we first started this business, the aim was produce the absolute highest quality four wheel drive canopies – incorporating clever designs for quality kitchen facilities and space efficient storage – that not only looked great, but could withstand the harshest of conditions,” Jimmy said, explaining that his passion for off-road camping adventures fuelled his enthusiasm for the project. “Three and half years and over 150 custom builds later, customer testimonials tell us we have not only achieved that, but exceeded expectations and I’m proud to say there isn’t a better product available in Australia,” he said. Innovation is evident in every aspect of the canopies, from the use of high density polyethylene (HDPE), a hard, strong, scratch resistant and UV stabilised plastic

with fantastic insulation properties through to the vehicle colour matched aluminium panels. Primarily used in marine construction, Core utilises CNC machining to cut the HDPE and has developed a patented method of welding the material to create their unique designs. The fully customisable chassis-mounted canopies feature everything from an upright fridge to a pull out kitchen with oven, hot and cold running water, lighting and sound systems, a 270° awning and cleverly designed internal and external storage draws, securely locked by the car’s central locking system. There is almost nothing Core can’t integrate into their base design to build the ultimate off-road camping vehicle. Options include a large fully electronic rooftop tent, a shower unit that cleverly swings outwards so as not to foul the opening side doors and solar panels, to name but a few. Further to this, Core offer the full range of 4WD accessories, from suspension and wheel and tyre upgrades to custom exhausts, snorkels and bull bars and many clients opt for a full turn key remodelling of their dual cab incorporating these items on top of the canopy build. Approximately 50 percent of the four wheel drives that are built at the company’s Rockingham manufacturing base are destined for customers in the Eastern States. Remarkably, the first time many of these customers see their vehicle in the flesh is when they arrive at the impressive showroom to begin their first adventure – the drive home across the Nullarbor. The fact that so many orders are coming from the eastern seaboard is testament not only to the unique quality of their offerings, but to the marketing strategies Core Offroad successfully employ. “I came from a background of contracting to the construction industry

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

where your resume is essentially your last project,” said Jimmy. “With Core Offroad it’s completely different in as much you’ve got to be constantly in your customer’s face.” Social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, has proven to be a very successful marketing tool for the company with those platforms funnelling potential customers to the website and Core’s YouTube channel. While impressively produced videos may reflect the quality and range of Core Offroad’s offerings, the marketing spend is very much determined by data collected from search engines and customers. “It’s all well and good doing paid promotion, but unless you know what the outcome is it’s useless,” Jimmy said, explaining that this allowed Core to maximise its marketing budget. “This is why we correlate all sales, whether it’s a full build or just a recovery kit, back to marketing in order to ascertain how we came to get that particular customer.” One promotional tool that doesn’t cost the business a cent is the enthusiasm of customers to share their adventures on social media and YouTube. “We’ve actually had a couple of people ‘complain’ that the product is too good for they’ve had to spend a couple of hours showing interested people all the neat aspects of their customised Core Offroad dual cab,” Jimmy said. Core Offroad’s growth has been extraordinary, in part helped by what Jimmy described as a perfect storm – the Western Australia border closure due to the Covid pandemic and the subsequent increase in intra-state touring which allowed the company to get a foothold in the marketplace.

faster CNC machinery, had resulted in major efficiency improvements. “People just think it’s a canopy on the back of a ute, but there’s a huge number of components that go into a build,” Jimmy said, explaining that the delivery time was approximately two to three months from initial order. “We’ve incorporated a new schedule outlining targets and dates to meet to ensure that throughout the entire manufacturing process we are totally organised because if you forget one part, then the canopy build stops. “We are actually building canopies more quickly now with less staff, which is the very definition of efficiency,” he said. Never one to stand still for long and always looking for the next adventure,

Jimmy is extremely passionate about Core’s next innovation – a camper trailer incorporating a similar design ethos to the canopies. “I’m excited and I’ve got that nervy feeling again,” he said. “We’re in the design phase and I’m hoping we can bring it to market within six months as we already know the demand is there.” The camper trailer will initially be a limited release of 20 as “one thing we definitely learnt with the canopies is that it’s all well and good releasing a product but unless you can keep up with demand, there’s no point because all you end up with is angry customers.” “That limited release will allow us to integrate the new product into manufacture and adapt and change as we need without upsetting other aspects of the business,” Jimmy said.

As testament to the initial research and development being very much on point, Jimmy explained that while the general design of Core canopies had not changed much in the last three and a half years, improvements in scheduling, along with

MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

FOCUS ON INNOVATION

Major expansion for industry leader

ruce Rock Engineering Managing Director Damion Verhoogt has seen his fair share of innovative changes in road transport equipment during his 20 years in the industry and the company his father established in 1980 has been one of the leaders driving this innovation. With the recent opening of a new 40,000m2 facility in Forrestfield and the subsequent investment in cutting edge machinery and tooling, BRE continues to cement its position as one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of heavy duty road transport trailers. Designing and manufacturing a wide range of trailer solutions for the agricultural, mining, construction and general freight industries, BRE builds everything from tippers, quad and super quad road trains through to refrigerated trailers and dollies. The new premises has expanded BRE’s Perth metropolitan footprint six-fold with the site essentially amalgamating smaller operations previously located in Kewdale and Forrestfield. BRE also has workshops in Bruce Rock, Port Hedland and Geraldton. The reason behind this massive expansion, was two-fold Damion explained. “The demand from our customer base has grown substantially over the last few years, particularly since mid-2020,” he said. “I’ve never seen demand and lead times even remotely close to what we have been experiencing.” “With the new facility we are keen to increase our capacity for builds, meaning shorter delivery times and greater customer satisfaction.” Secondly, Damion said, such a large site allowed for continual expansion of the business in the future. “Typically in the past whenever we’ve

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

built new infrastructure, we’ve spent what we thought we could afford based on what we thought we needed and in 18 months we’ve outgrown it,” he said with a laugh. “I’m hoping we’ve got at least a 10 year plan with this site.” Of the 40,000m2, 18,000m2 is under cover across two buildings – one site for the production of componentry and the second for the assembly of the trailer bodies. With a desire to increase manufacturing efficiency, the new steel processing building features stateof-the-art CNC bending, folding and cutting, 3D pipe and tube laser cutting and robotic welding. The new Forrestfield site also features blast and painting capability, previously not available in BRE’s Perth workshops.

“Improving the environmental and sustainability credentials of the transport industry is very important to us which is why we aim to build road transport trailers that work as efficiently as possible.

“The blast room has been designed to allow for future robotics and automation and the paint booths are currently being fitted out with full computer control plural paint mixing and dosing systems,” Damion said.

“Sustainability is one of BRE’s key tenants but it doesn’t just refer to a project life cycle and our manufacturing carbon footprint, it applies equally to our customers, their customers and the industry as a whole,” he said.

Innovation has always been at the heart of BRE’s approach to manufacture and the company proudly claims its trailers feature the lightest tare weights in Australia.

The lighter tare weights in BRE trailers were achieved by smart design, smart engineering, the smart use of componentry and continual research and development Damion said.

“Tare weights have always been an important consideration in BRE builds but it probably had less relevance in the 1980s and 90s,” Damion said.

“Simple is better and less is more so we try and keep things uncomplicated while also ensuring that the trailer we are building is going to do the job it was designed for reliably

“Now customers are definitely looking at ways they can be more efficient because the more they can cart with less trips and using less fuel, the better it is for their bottom line as well as the environment.

Robotic welding

brings speed and quality

he utilisation of robots in vehicle manufacture is hardly a new concept with General Motors the first company to deploy industrial robotic automation in 1962.

and with maximum efficiency and performance,” he said. Given the variety of trailers produced, the range of diverse applications and the vast differences in road conditions experienced around the country, Damion is quick to point out that one size certainly does not fit all. “We engineer innovative solutions to clients’ transport problems that aren’t readily overcome utilising standard equipment or thinking,” he said. “The challenge for us is to continually innovate and improve by challenging the status quo and I’m proud to say that this is the reason BRE is recognised nationwide as one of the leading trailer manufacturers in this country,” he said. And to think, it all started in a small workshop in a small country town in the Western Australian wheatbelt.

Somewhat surprisingly then, the introduction of computer programmed robotic welding arms to build trays is not only an Australian first, but it is believed there is only one company in the country employing this technology. United Transport Equipment (UTE) in Welshpool have been building utility trays and canopies in colaboration with New Town Toyota for almost 10 years. As well as robotic welding, the state-of-the-art workshop boasts laser cutting facilities, CNC cutting and bending, and an in-house custom design service for a customer base that ranges from recreation 4WD owners to mining company fleets. Joe Zito, Dealer Principal of New Town and Kalamunda Toyota, has long understood the potential of robots to improve speed and efficiency as well as practical benefits such technology can provide in terms of quality assurance. “I clearly remember many years ago witnessing a tradesperson welding two pieces of steel together on the floor with no jig and thinking such a approach was not going to produce a quality end result,” Joe said. With purpose built jigs holding precision measured and cut material while the robotic arm moves around with amazing speed and dexterity, welding as determined by the pre-programing, perfect fitment to the chassis is guaranteed. Time savings are also impressive. Joe suggests the welding could take a good tradesperson up to eight hours whereas the robot can complete the task in a much shorter timeframe. Accuracy and fitting aside, Joe also admits to being fascinated by the technology and programming behind robots – a captivation first discovered when he bought his young son a robot many years ago and taught himself to program the toy to deliver cups of tea to a specific part of the house. Explaining New Town Toyota’s association with UTE, Joe said it gave him the ability to provide completed tray-backed utilities to customers in a much shorter timeframe. “In the past, we had to wait up to three months for trays whereas nowadays we can schedule the completion of the vehicle as soon as we know the car is in transit from Japan,” Joe said MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

New supercar

player in Perth

cLaren, manufacturers of some of the fastest and most desirable supercars on the road today, now has a highend showroom and workshop presence in Perth. The former Diesel Motors building on Albany Highway St James has been transformed into the largest McLaren showroom in the Asia-Pacific. It officially opened in late November. As the fifth and latest McLaren showroom in Australia, Perth features the very latest in design and branding cues and reflects, as one would expect, the quality and technical excellence that defines this iconic manufacturer. With dark and moody hues, textured finished walls and soft leather furnishings, the effect is both masculine and chic. Brand Manager Nadja Lenehan explained that the company have very high standards relating to showroom presentation and finish. Designed by McLaren, the space was bought to life by a local team over a 12 month period. While there was an element of secrecy in the build up to completing the showroom, once the brand was revealed interest from enthusiasts and buyers alike was instant. Several sales were made prior to doors opening and there was great anticipation as to what models would be revealed once the car covers were removed Nadja said.

amazing performance with with comfort and luxury,” Nadja said.

to buy but hesitating due to the closest service and parts back up being in the eastern states – a concern now well and truly addressed with full workshop facilities and factory trained technicians part of the McLaren Perth set up,” Nadja said. “There is a strong supercar culture in Perth with brand presence from Ferrari and Lamborghini so McLaren just made sense” When explaining what makes a McLaren such a special car, Nadja, a qualified mechanic by trade with high performance vehicle experience over a number of brands, says it is very hard to put into words. “I have driven many performance vehicles, both on and off the track, but once you drive a McLaren it quickly becomes apparent that this manufacturer is in a league of its own,” she said.

She said that Perth was a natural fit for McLaren and WA was definitely missing the brand presence.

“You might think, given McLaren’s 60 years of Formula 1 history, that the cars are just about the drive and, of course, it is an amazing and exhilarating experience.

“We had consistent feedback from Western Australian customers wanting

“However, McLaren have absolutely nailed it in the sense that it couples

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I JULY DECEMBER 2023 2023

Every vehicle is handmade by McLaren in Woking in the United Kingdom, meaning limited build slots over all models. Each car is a bespoke build for every individual client. And under the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) banner, there are endless possibilities, meaning such a build would be a truly unique supercar. Nadja said she was looking forward to the first Perth customer orders arriving in 2024.

AUTO AFTERMARKET EXPO

THE FUTURE IS HERE T

he Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is excited to officially launch the 2024 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAExpo). Following a popular date change to avoid a clash with the Melbourne Grand Prix, the Expo, proudly sponsored by Repco will be held from 11 - 13 of April 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Co-located with the Collison Repair Expo (CRE), the AAAExpo is the nation’s only comprehensive exhibition for Australia’s $25B aftermarket industry, bringing together the industry’s best and brightest while showcasing hundreds of the country’s leading companies, all under one roof. Further cementing Expo as a truly world class event is the fact that AAAExpo will host the return of the International Pavilion will allow Expo visitors to connect with suppliers not only from across the country, but from across the globe, right in the heart of Melbourne. “We are very excited to officially launch the 2024 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo. We have some game-changing features lined-up to make AAAExpo24 a must-attend event for business owners, managers and technicians,” said AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity. “Designed by the industry for the industry, AAAExpo will deliver a multitude of

opportunities for visitors to connect, learn and build their businesses. With a number of fantastic new features to be announced, the AAAExpo will run with the theme ‘The Future is Here’ and will showcase the latest vehicle repair and servicing equipment, parts, tools and accessories, new technology and trends. A comprehensive training and education program is also in development, including some free opportunities for attendees, with more details about the program to be released in the coming weeks. “The automotive industry in Australia is in the midst of revolutionary change driven by the complexity of the car parc, rapid changes in vehicle technology, and the evolving capabilities and needs of our workforce and customers,” Stuart said. “Those that prepare today will be the ones who succeed tomorrow, and it is our mission at the AAAA and with AAAExpo to provide our members and trade visitors with the tools and knowledge they need to make the right future-focused decisions for their businesses. “As part of this, training will be a key focus of the Expo. Off the back of the impressive attendance at Autocare’s seminars earlier this year, AAAA are pulling together a truly incredible education program for the Expo which will deliver an unprecedented calibre of speakers and depth of technical content, as well as increased ‘hands on’ training to satisfy

industry demand. “Additionally, such was the success of the Workshop of the Future at the 2022 AAAExpo, and with the fast-paced development of our industry in the time since, AAAA will be bringing an enhanced Workshop of the Future concept to the 2024 show. It will be so comprehensive that it requires two sections – one focused on EVs, and one on ADAS calibration. “Similarly, the 4WD Innovation Zone was a huge hit in 2022 and will evolve and grow to ensure visitors to the 2024 4WD Innovation Zone are even more impressed than they were at its inaugural appearance. The Expos will bring together more than 400 leading brands plus International exhibitors and guests, showcasing the latest vehicle repair and servicing equipment, technology, parts and accessories to the estimated 9,000 trade visitors. Dedicated training programs led by respected industry experts, the Australian Auto Aftermarket Awards banquet and breakfast, a networking event, vehicle display area, celebrity appearances and competitions will all add to an unmissable three-day industry experience. Further announcements and exciting additions to the 2024 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collision Repair Expo will be released over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information!

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HSV Grange

fuels Ministerial passion

BILL JOHNSTON, MINISTER FOR MINES AND PETROLEUM, ENERGY, HYDROGEN INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS LOVES HIS MOTORSPORT .... AND HIS HSV GRANGE.

WORDS: PAUL ROBERTS

“I

just want one!” It was the advertising catchcry of Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) when you could not only just want one but actually buy one new off the showroom floor. That pull-at-the-heart-strings slogan was an outstanding marketing success and obviously still works as well today as it did when the cars were manufactured.

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2022 2023

There were also Saturday morning visits with one of his motoring mad brothers

So why did Bill Johnston, Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Hydrogen Industry and Industrial Relations buy an 2008 HSV Grange as a “Sunday driver” last year? “Simple answer … I just wanted one!,” Bill said, explaining that the boy racer in him might have plumbed for an Clubsport R8 if he didn’t already have a Suburu WRX as a daily driver. It quickly becomes apparent that Bill is at heart a dyed in the wool, self confessed ‘revhead’ with a history of rallying motorsport experiences and a genuine passion for all things automotive. “I grew up in Canberra and I remember being around six to seven years of age and going to the annual motor show as well as

the speedway regularly with my family and I can probably pinpoint that time as the beginning of my interest in cars,” Bill said.

Bill pictured on the grid at the 2020 V8 Supercars Perth SuperSprint at Wanneroo Raceway.

to Canberra car showrooms in the 1970s, collecting sales brochures and assorted promotional paraphilia which, Bill explained, fetched a reasonable sum of money when sold on ebay a few years ago. “And of course there was Bathurst and I clearly remember watching the first broadcast in 1968 when I was six, being totally hooked and that race becoming a unmissable part of my life,” he said. Bathurst was a relatively short drive from Canberra and for several years Bill made the annual trek with friends to Mount Panorama for Friday practice and Saturday qualifying before returning home to watch Sunday’s race on television. “On Friday and Saturday you got to wander everywhere around the track and witness the cars going flat out and then we’d enjoy the race from the comfort of our loungeroom as opposed to being hemmed into one spot on the mountain,” he explained. His ministerial responsibilities nowadays take precedent over spending six-plus hours in front of the television watching Australia’s Great Race, but he is still an ardent fan of the V8 Supercars, considering the Perth night race to be one of the highlights on his calendar. “One of the ‘sacrifices’ I have to make as a Minister is representing the Government at the Perth round of the V8 Supercars each year given we are one of the major sponsors and having to spend two days at Wanneroo is terrible,” Bill says with a major hint of sarcasm.

“It’s been a great thrill to present trophies on behalf of the Government and I’ve also had the pleasure of waving the green flag on the grid before the warm up lap.” Bill’s interest in motorsport didn’t just involve spectating for he has been a volunteer at both circuit racing and dirt rallies and was involved as a marshal during the Canberra leg of the Repco Around Australia Rally in 1979.

Former rally co-driver In fact as a teenager and still at high school, Bill found himself sitting in the ‘suicide’ seat as a navigator in various ACT rallies. He co-drove for a number of drivers in a variety of cars, including his sister-in-law’s Holden Torana, several Datsun 1600s, the tool of choice in the 1970s, and, as his first rally car experience, a HR Holden (“a bit large and cumbersome”). With his political life and subsequent Ministerial duties taking precedent now-a-days, “plus I’m too old for motorsport”, the HSV Grange has found a special place in Bill’s heart. “I absolutely love the WRX, but the Grange is a lovely thing to drive just as a Sunday car,” Bill said. “I’ve done approximately 2,000 kilometres since I bought it a year ago.” “People may get upset with me, but with 317 kilowatts, you just argue with cubic capacity and that V8 rumble just sounds wonderful,” he said. Of course while Bill is a passionate old school car enthusiast, he is also a realist about the future direction of the automotive industry.

“I have met with Hyundai in Korea, BMW and Mercedes Benz in Germany and Ford executives in the United States and they all tell me the same thing – the future is electric vehicles,” Bill said. “So it’s not whether we will end up driving an EV but when because eventually there will be no choice as nothing but EVs will be manufactured. “There is discussion about carbon neutral fuels or hydrogen, which will still be battery electric, but the fastest pathway looking to the future is EV because that direction is now very well established by manufacturers,” he said. The job of government now is to provide the backbone infrastructure through Western Power to allow the private sector to provide the charging stations for the ever-increasing number of electric cars Bill said. “We have to make sure that Western Power has the network capacity to handle the charging of EV’s. They won’t make a huge difference to the amount of electricity that is used but it will make a difference to the way it flows so we have to manage that change,” he said. The first round of subsidies through the Charge Up Program to small business, not-for-profits and local government to help install charging infrastructure has been very successful Bill said and the second round, which will provide more fast chargers, was announced in early November. While acknowledging that EVs will populate our roads in ever increasing numbers, Western Australians, on average, hold on to their cars for approximately 11 years. “The motor trades industry is critical to ensuring cars are well maintained and safe to stay on the road and principally this is done by hard working small businesses,” Bill said. “Along with specialist manufacturers and repairers providing the vital transport infrastructure for industry, these businesses are a dynamic and extremely important part of Western Australia’s automotive architecture,” Bill said. Having been the Member for Cannington since 2008 and part of the Labor Party cabinet since 2013, Bill has announced his intention to retire from politics at the next election. MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

IF I COULD OWN ANY CAR...

Bill Johnston Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Hydrogen Industry and Industrial Relations

Ferrari 308 GTB

‘‘

I’ve owned some interesting cars over the years, including a 253 Kingswood and a FIAT 128 Sport L, but my 1977 SAAB 99 EMS was a star. While it wasn’t fast off the line, it was a comfortable at cruise, well-designed and solidly built.

My HSV Grange is my ‘Sunday car’, and it is also pretty good, but I wonder what a HSV GTS with the supercharger would be like. I’ve driven some nice cars, too. A friend once let me use his 1982 Porsche 911 SC for a month when I was working in country NSW. It was a great car on country roads, and certainly sounded the part. I’ve had friends with other cool cars as well – Cadillacs, hot Holdens and Fords, and even a FIAT 124 Sport BC. In the 1980’s I was involved in rallying, as a navigator, and friends had lots of rally

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2022 2023

cars – Datsun 1600’s, of course, but also a Mazda RX2, a Torana SL, even an HR Holden. Some nice to drive and some you didn’t want to give back! One of my brothers had a V8 Leyland P76, the very definition of an odd car, but he would swear by it. When I moved to my current house 25 years ago, a neighbour had a Leyland Force 7 parked in his garage – if you don’t know that one, you need to Google it! I couldn’t believe I actually saw one in the flesh. Another of my neighbours drives a roller skate with an engine “Clubman” – that really is out there, and the power to weight is extraordinary.

I once got a Chev Camaro SS as a rental car in California. The guy at the rental desk and I got chatting – he’d been to Perth and was also into cars – so he up-graded me for my week. I drove California Highway 1 and out into the Mojave Desert in that Camaro. Another time I booked an E300 Mercedes rental car in England, and they gave me an S350 – very fancy, but hard to park and not the best on a narrow lane! I have also had various BMWs and Audis as rentals, but the highlight was a Dodge Challenger that I had for five days in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Camaro SS was good, the Challenger was great!

But if we are talking fantasy cars, I’d have to look at an Audi Quattro Sport – I saw them in action once in the Rally New Zealand and they were awesome! But then a Lancia Delta Integrale would be good, too. Or what about a Jaguar E-type? Or a 1960’s Aston Martin? Then you’d have to think about a pre-1973 US muscle car? What about an Torana XU1, or an L34 or an A9X? There are so many choices!

‘‘

My current ‘daily driver’ is a 2020 WRX, and it is a great car. I’ve never driven a 1990’s Impreza WRX, but I’d like to give it a go.

But in the end, I would choose a Ferrari 308 GTB – my ultimate fantasy car that took pride of place on my bedroom wall when I was a teenager.

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INDUSTRY MATTERS/MOTOR

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection

Trish Blake

Rogue dealer warned again

elling unroadworthy cars to unsuspecting consumers is illegal under the Australian Consumer Law, which is why Consumer Protection continues to investigate a licensed Welshpool car dealer that is doing the wrong thing. Ventura Autos is now the subject of two public warnings issued by Consumer Protection this year over the sale of defective vehicles. The business also appears to be further misleading consumers by trading under different names, including Car Central. Following the initial warning in July 2023 urging WA car buyers to exercise extra caution if buying through this business, Consumer Protection has received five further complaints about the sale of unroadworthy cars by Ventura Autos directors James Jonathan Mentiplay and Clancy Tamlyn Mentiplay (aka Clancy Arnott). There has now been a total of 141 consumer

MOTOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA I DECEMBER 2023

complaints lodged about the dealership since 2016. Compliance visits to the dealership by Consumer Protection officers have seen a total of 53 vehicle defect notices issued for problems such as cracked windscreens, non-compliant tyres and faulty seatbelts. The public warnings about Ventura Autos are an important reminder for all dealers to remember their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law, with the consumer guarantee of acceptable quality meaning vehicles must be roadworthy at the point of sale. One way dealers can ensure the quality of the vehicles they are selling is by carrying out thorough inspections (mechanical and otherwise) before offering them for sale to detect any issues.

Consignment trust audit reminder

otor vehicle dealers that sell on consignment are reminded that the audits on their trust accounts are now due. The Motor Vehicle Dealers Act requires auditors to deliver a report of the audit results to Consumer Protection and the dealer within three months following the end of each financial year.

Checking for signs of odometer tampering

Further information about the requirements is available on the Consumer Protection website in the Guide to auditing trust accounts for motor vehicle dealers.

New used car buyer’s checklist

ou may already be using the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to check whether vehicles are stolen, written off or have money owing on them, but this database may also sometimes help reveal when vehicles have been subjected to odometer wind-back. Other signs of odometer tampering include inconsistencies between the condition of the vehicle and the odometer reading (for example, if the interior is worn, but the odometer reading is low) and odometer reading records in vehicle logbooks. Given there are a number of ways of finding out the true history of vehicles, those who engage in this illegal conduct will quickly be caught out. Aside from misrepresenting a car’s value, if an odometer doesn’t reflect the number of kilometres a vehicle has actually travelled, the necessary checks, services and repairs may not be carried out at the required times, potentially leaving unsuspecting consumers exposed to mechanical and safety issues.

ealers wanting to add credibility and transparency to their relationship with consumers are encouraged to promote our recently published used car buyer’s checklist, developed partnership with the Motor Trade Association of WA.

The checklist aims to empower buyers to know what to look out for when shopping for a used car and can be downloaded from the Consumer Protection website at www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au MTA WA WORKING FOR MEMBERS