Motor Trader e-Magazine, August 2017

AUG 2017

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CARMAGEDDON: FOCUSING ON AUTOMOTIVE EVOLUTION OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOTOR TRADES ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND

MEMBERS CLASSIC: FORD/SHELBY GT500SE SUPER SNAKE 'ELEANOR'

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Contents Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland

Search for MTA Queensland

HEAD OFFICE Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 P.O. Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488 Toll Free: 1800 177 951 Email: publications@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au

MTA Queensland and MTA Institute actively promotes our four social media platforms and encourages all our members and MTA Institute clients to connect with us via these channels.

Simply search “MTA Queensland.”

EDITOR Jonathan Nash

Each social media platform contains different information and this is a terrific way to stay on top of industry news, upcoming events, MTA Institute courses and the latest benefits for Association members.

We see our social media platforms as an additional important communication method, alongside Motor Trader and Member Bulletin emails.

ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Ted Kowalski Paul Murray POLICY Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Email: publications@mtaq.com.au EDITORIAL Editorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information email the Editor at publications@mtaq.com.au SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including GST) Subscribing to the Motor Trader e-magazine is free.

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MOTOR TRADER PUBLISHING POLICY Motor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland.

The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry.

The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.

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MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848 CORPORATE PARTNERS

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02 From the editor 04 From the desk of the CEO

MEMBERS ESSENTIALS

06 Policy/Viewpoint

37 Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

08 MTA Q&A

BEN ATKINSON FROM SEVEN82MOTORS

38 Professional Circle training

Feature 16 CARMAGEDDON: FOCUSING ON AUTOMOTIVE EVOLUTION 20170554

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28 Members Classic SHELBY’S VENOMOUS MUSTANG: FORD/ CARROLL SHELBY GT500SE SUPER SNAKE

41 Member matters 47 Member profiles 48 Industrial relations 50 Concept Corner WORTH THE W8: BMW CONCEPT 8 August 2017 Motor Trader | 1

From the editor

H JONATHAN NASH EDITOR

2 | Motor Trader August 2017

ELLO AND WELCOME to the August 2017 edition of Motor Trader.

This is only the second edition of our e-magazine and feedback on this innovative way of delivering you more features, more news, video content, and a hyperlink system that allows you to immedately click through to the websites of members, government departments and advertisers, has been really positive.

Our cover story in this edition focuses on the Carmageddon - Leading the Way symposium held at MTA Queensland's HQ, the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence, on 12 July.

The second in a series of conferences designed to highlight the massive changes coming to our industry through technological advances, Carmageddon - Leading the Way had a focus on digital disruption and the digital economy. There were some fantastic guest speakers who gave tremendous insight into where the technology is heading and what it means not just for the automotive industry, but for all industries.

While the technologial advances will cause disruption to the industry as we know it, MTA Queensland has stated for some time that there will be extraordinary opportunities for those who adapt to that disruption.

And Carmageddon - Leading the Way confirmed that assertion. Presentations that highlighted innovative business ideas and concepts; the infrastructure being put into place by companies such as Telstra; and the startup businesses that are already taking advantage of the connected, digital and sharing economy were, frankly, inspirational.

I encourage everybody to keep one eye on MTA Queensland's YouTube channel - a highlight package video of the event will be uploaded soon.

In the meantime, you can flick through to pages 16-19 for a wrap-up of Carmageddon - Leading the Way. In our MTA Q&A feature this month, we chat to Ben Atkinson from SEVEN82MOTORS on the Gold Coast.

For the petrolheads amongst us, Ben seems to have the perfect job. He

travels the world in search of classic vehicles to buy and sell, and his workshop restores amd customises some truly astonishing and unique vehicles for clients with a taste for the extraordinary. Go to pages 8-12 to see what Ben and his team can do.

In our Member's Classic feature this month we return to the Sunshine Coast and catch up once more with Iain Kippen, owner of Bissell's Paint & Panel in Noosa. Motor Trader was there a couple of month's ago, checking out Iain's Shelby Cobra, but we couldn't wait to return and find out all we could about the quite stunning Shelby Mustang GT500SE Super Snake 'Eleanor' we spied in his workshop.

Named after the unique car from the film Gone in 60 Seconds, Iain's 'Eleanor' is one of only a handful of Shelby-licensed 'Eleanor' Mustangs in the world. It's an incredibly beautiful 700hp beast and you can check it out on pages 28-31.

In our Training section this month we have a couple of great success stories. The first follows Jamahl Byrne, the MTAQ Apprentice of the Year for 2016, who worked with Supercars outfit Team Vortex at the Townsville 400 last month. It was a wonderful experience for the young technician and you can find out more about it on pages 38-39.

The second success story also comes out of North Queensland. This time it concerns Sharine Milne, owner of R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services.

Sharine and her team were winners in the Small Employer of the Year category for the North Queensland region at the recent Queensland Training Awards.

Having been a finalist in the previous four years, it was a brilliant result for Sharine. Find out more on page 43.

There is plenty more going on inside the e-mag, of course, and I hope you enjoy this edition of Motor Trader. If you want to get in touch to let me know of any news you'd like to share; or have a classic bike, car or truck that we could feature in Member's Classic then please email me.

Cheers!

Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au

As a special business offer for MTAQ members, you can have access to a payment terminal that can do more than take payments.

The Commonwealth Bank has developed a new EFTPOS tablet called Albert that accepts card payments and also runs apps. To help keep your business moving, Commonwealth Bank has a special offer for MTAQ members. Just open a new Commonwealth Bank Business Transaction Account by 31st December 2017 and link it to your existing or new Commonwealth Bank merchant facility.

0

$

monthly account fee on a Business Transaction Account – $10 monthly account fee waiver#

To take advantage of this offer contact MTAQ on 1800 177 951.

Important Information: Offer available to referrals made via MTAQ between 01/07/2017 and 31/12/2017. #To maintain the fee waiver, you must retain the required products, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn. Offer includes the monthly account maintenance fee of currently $10 on the Business Transaction Account linked to the merchant facility. Please refer to terms and conditions. This offer may be extended beyond the specified end date at the discretion of the Commonwealth Bank. Interest rates and fees are subject to change. Full conditions of use will be included in our Letter of Offer. Applications for finance subject to the Bank’s normal leading criteria. MTAQ may receive a fee from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for each successful referral. Referral Fees are not payable on referrals from existing relationship managed Commonwealth Bank customers. This has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider its appropriateness to your circumstances before you act on it. Terms and conditions are available from commbank.com.au.

Some of the apps shown require individual development. Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. Australian credit licence 234945.

From the desk of the CEO

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BRETT DALE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND

CHALLENGE FACED BY all peak bodies is to be in the vanguard of change and provide leadership to membership on the commercial, technical, digital and regulatory evolutions occurring that will enable them to adjust their business models to be sustainable into the future. Here at MTA Queensland, we are doing this by building on the success of last financial year’s focus on governance, expanding commercial interests, and the strategic restructure and industry re-alignments which included the emerging digital and technological innovations.

As Group Chief Executive, I’m determined to capitalise on the benefits of these significant gains to provide the members with a competitive advantage in their operations. Key to this is maintaining the leadership and momentum on digital disruption and emerging technologies which, according to expert presenters at Carmageddon – Leading the Way, will impact business by 2020 with the major rollout and effect by 2022. In the context of a timeframe, it is closer than we realise!

interest from startups in locating to the MTA Queensland Hub. One of the outcomes from Carmageddon – Leading the Way was the commitment from three startups to locate at the Hub, joining 3D Space Labs. They are C2S (Contact to Sales), sponsored by the Queensland Government to bring the product from Brazil to Australia. It assists sales performance through an innovative mobile/web solution by tracking every lead from phone calls, walk-ins and internet messages into one place to increase sales. Already some members are working with C2S. TheCarTest from Melbourne) is an automotive marketplace that provides new car buyers with access to trusted mobility advisors. Buyers can select from a short list of cars they would ‘love’ for a 3-7 day ‘try before you buy’ experience. The third is a Sydney startup with innovative software that assists business, consumers and the motorists with parking. It is in the process of relocating to the Hub. I’ll have more to say about this startup in September’s From the desk of the CEO.

INNOVATION HUB The July Motor Trader highlighted the launch of the MTA Queensland Innovation Hub in space specially designed for the purpose in the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence. This Innovation Hub is the first in the state to be geared solely at the automotive industry and designed to cultivate a community of entrepreneurial minds that can come together, collaborate and develop ideas into viable business propositions for the automotive value chain.

To gather ideas for the Hub, I visited the Advance Queensland innovation precinct at Fortitude Valley. It brings together Queensland startups, incubators, investors and mentors under the one roof. In addition, I had several face-to-face meetings and teleconferences with startup operators who had enterprises suitable for our automotive Hub. I’m pleased with the 4 | Motor Trader August 2017

Lex van Cooten, Immerse Academy

“THE FEEDBACK FROM

CARMAGEDDON – LEADING THE WAY WAS OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE - ESPECIALLY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.”

CARMAGEDDON – LEADING THE WAY The feedback from Carmageddon – Leading the Way was overwhelmingly positive - especially from social media.

In all, there were 144 Carmageddonrelated tweets with a total audience reach of 21,000. 19 people directly interacted - that is posting tweets, replying with questions etc. One of these was the Canadian Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Science and Economic Development – an advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister who has a 3,200 following. One of our Carmageddon presenters on Innovation and Intellectual Property Law, Professor Matthew Rimmer, has a 13,300 following. There were 13 uses of the hashtag #CarmageddonMTAQ. In all there were some 70 persons who watched the live-streamed symposium.

ADVOCACY As Deputy Group Chief Executive Kellie Dewar says in Viewpoint, we place strong emphasis on advocacy, services and benefits that help members with their operations.

One special advocacy event is a dinner with the Reserve Bank Board and senior members of the Brisbane community to which I’ve been invited.

In conversations at the dinner, I’ll represent the views of members and contribute to discussions from the perspective of the automotive value chain. As Kellie intimates in Viewpoint, we met with Queensland Senator James McGrath to discuss deregulation and red tape reduction. We briefed the Senator on the Association’s role in preparing members for the digital and technological transformations and the impacts on their businesses.

Additionally, we stressed that Government decision-making on automated motor vehicles and the emerging technologies and associated regulations must be responsive, flexible and support business and consumers.

In the near term, members may see a new set of wheels gracing the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence. No, not motor vehicle wheels! These will be bicycle wheels!

“OVER RECENT WEEKS, I’VE BEEN MEETING WITH BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES AND DISTRIBUTORS FROM THE BICYCLE INDUSTRY. THEY ARE KEEN FOR MTA QUEENSLAND TO BE THEIR PEAK INDUSTRY BODY.” Over recent weeks, I’ve been meeting with business representatives and distributors from the bicycle industry.

They are keen for MTA Queensland to be their peak industry body.

Whilst the decision ultimately rests with the MTA Queensland board, there are compatible synergies with such an arrangement. In training terms, it would align with the national skills agenda as the bicycle sector sits within the automotive training package.

There are about 900 bicycle retailers and distributors in Queensland.

As indicated in previous From the desk of the CEO, the MTA Queensland has a seat on the Automotive Industry Reference Committee (IRC). Recently, I participated in the PwC’s Strategic IRC to determine and review priorities for the automotive sector.

To ensure collaborative stakeholder relations, I liaised with the national Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) Chair Terry Keating and the Chief Executive Office David Blackall. With the automotive sector in transition to an import-only industry, there were issues to be discussed as well as other domestic matters. Recently, I attended the national meeting of the Federated Chamber of Automotive Industries, AADA National and the Motor Trades Association of Australia members to progress key industry issues. One of these was the Industry Agreement on Access to Service and Repair Information, the effectiveness of which is being reviewed by the Australian Competition and Consumer

Commission in its current wideranging Retail Car Industry Study.

It is due for completion this year.

AND THE LAST THING MTA Queensland, as a peak industry body, other than its constitutional obligations to members, has a duty to be a good corporate citizen. On behalf of the Association I’ve met with Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF) representatives to indicate that MTA Queensland will support an overseas scholarship for a successful graduate technician who will bring the learnings back to Australia.

The QOF Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit organisation. It provides young people with the opportunity to broaden horizons and improve their career prospects by working overseas.

It was established in 1976, and is sponsored by industry and supported by the Queensland Government.

It operates through a Board representing a range of industries and expertise.

Applications are currently open and will close on 17 October 2017.

Interviews will be held in November 2017. Applicants will be notified by the outcome of their application by December 2017. The Award ceremony will be in Brisbane in March 2018.

The scholarship funds travel-related expenses and provides a settling in allowance, worth up to $7500.

For eligibility details and the selection criteria see the website: qof.org.au.

Additionally, details are on the MTA Queensland website.

My schedule for the coming weeks is crowded. Although it means busy, it is busyness that spins from the momentum of growing and supporting the membership and securing new commercial and other opportunities to advance the Association. I’ll continue the liaisons with startup operators for compatibility with the Innovation Hub. Until May, as Henry Ford, the industrialist and the founder of the Ford motor company said, ‘execute ideas with enthusiasm . . . as it is the bottom of all progress’.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 5

Policy/Viewpoint

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KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES

6 | Motor Trader August 2017

HILST INTRODUCING THE presenters at the recent Carmageddon - Leading the Way symposium on digital and technological change, my mind shifted to the leadership invested in services and benefits to help members with business costs. A constant theme common at each of MTA Queensland’s divisional meetings is the ‘cost of doing business’. Our response is to advocate these views to government, agencies and work with corporate partners on benefits to assist members with their business endeavours.

In July’s Viewpoint, I drew attention to our leadership in establishing a corporate partnership with Gambit Solutions which acts as a vendor neutral broker specialising in procuring electricity and gas rates on behalf of groups and businesses.

Under the arrangement, some members have achieved significant power cost savings. The latest report to me indicates that, increasingly, members with diverse energy needs are contacting Gambit Solutions to discuss their power requirements and costs, and have achieved savings.

Additionally, we’ve been discussing the provision of a similar scheme for printing outlays for members. Initial consultations indicate that there can be substantial printing savings. I’ll have more to say about this initiative in next month’s Viewpoint.

Similarly, corporate partner OurAuto has an offer for members on its Scan-Tool, with savings in upfront costs coupled with special purchasing arrangements. The OurAuto Scan-Tool is an automotive fault diagnostic tool based on the android system. It is software-enabled, and provides autodetection; top range health reports and has regular monthly updates.

Members interested in the Scan-Tool can go to OurAuto’s details are on our member’s benefit’s web page.

At the invitation of Senator James McGrath, Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Brett Dale and I met with him to confer on red tape and economic regulation. In particular, the Senator was keen to discuss practical and achievable suggestions

for regulatory reform. We were pleased to do so as it provided an advocacy opportunity on issues important to members. One of these was to detail MTA Queensland’s leadership on the digital and technological transformations through the Carmageddon symposiums.

We stressed the need for harmonisation of regulations across all jurisdictions in the context of new generation of technology being introduced such as plug-in electric and autonomous vehicles and associated infrastructure.

We highlighted member’s frustration and time consumed with the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) regulatory and compliance requirements. We did acknowledge the ATO’s simplification of the tax and superannuation reporting obligations through Single Touch Payroll, myDeductions, and Superstream but on-going reforms was needed.

On the issue of unfair dismissals under the Fair Work Act, we advised the Senator that this was an issue for members both in time and cost.

We advocated that the process should be streamlined. We proposed that unfair dismissal claims, where a jurisdictional objective is made on the basis that the dismissal complied with the Small Business Code, should be dealt with in the first instance by the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (SB&FEO). This would require the SB&FEO to be delegated the responsibility for unfair dispute mediation. This discussion was well received. The feedback provided will contribute to ideas that ultimately will incentivise State and Territory Government to work with the Commonwealth to cut red tape.

The Federal budget included $300 million for this purpose.

Here at MTA Queensland, I’ve noted the considerable increase in domestic parcel post costs and it appears so have small/medium enterprises (SMEs) which provide online shopping to customers. It seems Australia Post provides volume discounts to big customers which send large amounts of parcel mail. This disadvantages SMEs and is a barrier to competition.

“THE FUEL PRICE

BOARDS REGULATION WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM 1 JANUARY 2018 - TO ALLOW TIME FOR FUEL RETAILERS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO BOWSERS AND PRICE BOARDS TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS.” I note that the SB&FEO is considering options to level the playing field for small businesses to compete fairly with big business when sending/ posting goods in Australia.

Members would have received July’s Tax and Super bulletin which includes the ATO’s target areas that it will focus on in tax returns.

It is on the website, if you missed it.

Additionally, notification has been received that the Federal Government will introduce a Bill into Parliament that will ensure an individual’s salary sacrifice contributions do not reduce their employer’s superannuation guarantee obligation. Essentially, it is to improve employer’s compliance with their superannuation guarantee obligations. In 2015-16, employers paid over $89 billion in superannuation contributions for their employees.

To re-emphasise some previous good news, the corporate tax rate for businesses with an aggregated turnover threshold of $10 million is now 27.5 per cent - the lowest it’s been since 1940. And don’t forget the instant asset write-off has been extended by 12 months - the continuation of which we sought in our 2017 pre-budget submission to the Australian Treasury.

DIVISIONAL NEWS Each of MTA Queensland’s eleven divisions is attending to its constitutional requirements with scheduled annual general meetings, report preparation and election of office bearers. Nominations for office

bearers - Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary for the Divisions of Automotive Remarketing, Engine Re-Conditioners, Service Stations, Rental Vehicles and Auto Parts Recyclers - opened on 26 July with mid-day, 9 August as the closing date. The ballot of election bearers is under the auspices of the Queensland Electoral Commission.

ADVOCACY Office of Fair Trading (OFT) personnel have been moving office, hence some delay in our scheduled meetings, but with their move complete, liaison has recommenced.

For a pleasant change, OFT officers came to the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence.

Brett and I warmly welcomed them and we had a comprehensive agenda on matters important to members.

These included the ongoing issue of motor dealers requiring a secondhand dealer’s licence to sell all-terrain vehicles, which includes used farm vehicles and used competition or adult/child trail bikes that have not been registered for use. The OFT advised that whilst the regulatory requirement is ‘black and white’, a relaxed compliance approach to the regulatory requirement will apply whilst we continue discussions on the subject. We are appreciative of the friendly consultations.

The long-term agenda item of fuel price boards has now been resolved.

The fuel price boards’ regulation will take effect from 1 January 2018 - to allow time for fuel retailers to make the necessary adjustments to bowsers and price boards to comply with the regulations. I draw members’ attention to the OFT’s Executive Director Brian Bauer’s feature article in this Motor Trader edition reminding motor dealers to ensure that their current and prospective employees are appropriately licensed or registered.

We can provide all your training requirements for Sales and Dealers licenses for your business.

Recently, members will have observed the news stories that

‘Australia’s popular cars face the carbon axe’ with the government considering hardline carbon-emission rules. The Federal Government, on being asked about the possibility of a carbon tax, immediately ruled it out. The basis of the news stories was a Department of Infrastructure and Transport consultation paper which proposed this and other options.

It was disappointing that the paper was the subject of comment before all the options could be considered by all stakeholders. We would have liked to have continued the conversation on measures to reduce vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency. We have been active participants by way of submissions which included new fuel efficiency standards for light vehicles (draft Regulation Impact Statement (RIS); tighter noxious emissions standards for light and heavy vehicles (RIS); and improved fuel quality standards.

PRESIDENTS BALL I undertook not to mention the President’s Ball until August!

Members, there are only three Motor Trader editions left to remind you that MTA Queensland’s social and celebratory highlight is on Saturday, 28 October 2017 at the Brisbane Hilton Hotel. I urge you to reserve your tickets! Again, it will be a night of fun with the talented Shane Jacobson as master of ceremonies and a celebration of achievement with awards to industry champions and the apprentice of year.

FINALLY As a practice, I monitor the new motor vehicle sales. In May and June 2017, in seasonally adjusted terms, sales broke through the elusive 20,000 benchmark (20,742 June 2017 and 20,121 May 2017) for the first time since March 2016 (20,388).

Over the last 10 years, the highest number of sales in a single month was in November 2012 with 20,858.

Until September, take care and stay safe.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 7

CLICK TO VISIT THE SEVEN82MOTORS WEBSITE

MTA

QA &

8 | Motor Trader August 2017

To many a motoring enthusiast, Ben Atkinson has the dream job. Through his Gold Coast-based business, SEVEN82MOTORS, it’s a job that sees him travel the world in search of classic vehicles; buy, sell and restore incredible classic cars; and customise some truly astonishing and unique vehicles for clients with a taste for the extraordinary.

Built by SEVEN82MOTORS mechanic Adrian Woodley, this stunning, customised 1968 Chevy Camaro placed in the top 20 at Summernats.

This custom 1961 VW Karmann Ghia (above) and the 1969 Ford Cobra (below) are both available to the discerning buyer.

Ben Atkinson in the showroom of SEVEN82MOTORS. While all the vehicles in the showroom are for sale, this stunning XC Cobra has already been sold and will soon be on its way to a buyer in Melbourne.

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UCKED AWAY ON the outskirts of the Gold Coast, in a couple of ordinary-looking industrial units, is a place that would make many a petrolhead drool.

For it’s here, in this unassuming place, that Ben Atkinson and his team at SEVEN82MOTORS are weaving their rather special kind of motoring magic.

Unit one is the workshop, the place where skilled technicians are busy restoring, customising and building stunning vehicles. Unit two is the sales showroom - a treasure trove of classic cars and trucks that Ben has found on scouting trips abroad and across Australia, or have been

handed to him by clients looking for his help to sell their piece of motoring history.

No matter where you look, there's something special staring back at you. There’s an XC Cobra, an XY Fairmont, a 1956 Pontiac Catalina, a 1961 custom VW Karmann Ghia and, amongst many others, an eye-catching orange and white 1968 Chevy Camaro. Built by SEVEN82MOTORS’ mechanic Adrian Woodley, the Camaro has its bonnet up to reveal a glistening 510ci big block twin-turbo motor that wouldn’t look out of place in the sculpture wing of a posh museum.

It really is a thing of beauty.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 9

This is the domain of Ben and his small crew of talented techs – Chris Langtry, Adrian Woodley and Shaun Wallace – who, over the past 12 years, and along with others who have come and gone, have sold, built, customised and restored hundreds of cars and helped SEVEN82MOTORS build a reputation so solid it has 33,000 followers on Facebook (yes, you read that right, 33,000), and a long list of 5-star reviews so impressive you wonder if Ben’s been writing them himself.

Motor Trader went to meet Ben to find out the secret to his success, how it all began, and where things are headed.

What products and services does SEVEN82MOTORS provide?

“We buy, sell and consign ‘50s ‘60s and ‘70s Australian and American classic, lowrider and muscle cars, and sell Australia-wide and internationally,” says Ben. It's a short statement for a business that puts in a remarkable amount of effort to satisfy customers looking for that dream car. On the buying and selling side of things, Ben used to travel to the U.S. every three months on trips to find cars to sell through the business or to fulfil customer orders actually buying his own van in L.A. ready for him to jump into when a three or four-week scouting trip was underway.

At the moment, the trips abroad are a little less frequent, a legacy of the fluctuating fortunes of the Australian dollar, but the deal remains the same - if you're looking for a classic car, Ben will find it.

"With the dollar changing it has closed the margin, and I am actually finding better cars around Australia" he says.

"I use a CRM system to log details and match people up with cars, so you can register your interest and when I get one, you get notified."

As for the workshop side of the business, well, that's a humming hive of design, welding, modifications, fabricating, customising . . . everything that is required to create unique and exclusive four-wheel masterpieces.

"We do mechanical work from basic modifications to ground up builds but we aren’t like other mechanical shops - shops where you pull off brake pads and call Repco for parts,” says Ben. “I’ll give you an example. There’s a truck in the showroom that we built for a client. He contacted me, said he wanted a pick-up truck, gave me all the specs of what he wanted and I found one he liked in east L.A.

“We imported that original truck, a 1951 Chevy, and it had a standard chassis; a six-cylinder, four-speed manual; an I-beam front end and so on. We gutted it, made a custom chassis from an HQ one-tonner, took a six-litre engine from a smashed police car, supercharged it and put in a 6-speed auto. We then put in a 12-bolt rear, four-link and full air-ride suspension, re-trimmed the interior and converted it to righthand drive. We then used the dash from another right-hand drive truck and hid the new gauges behind it - the truck has a computer-operated self-levelling kit, Bluetooth and GPS but that is all hidden behind a factory dash which folds down.

"So what we have now is a truck that looks original but underneath it is an absolute weapon. That is the sort of work we can do.”

So, who is buying these remarkable machines? Classic cars, and certainly cars that are restored or customised, don’t come cheap. Is it older people then? People with a bit of experience and money behind them? Not necessarily, says Ben. “You couldn’t pick it,” he says. “I deal with people in their 20s through to death’s door! I don’t have too many ‘suit and tie’ customers – they’re probably doing Audis or Ferraris – so we would be more ‘blue-collar’ if we were to call it anything.

But you can’t really narrow it down to anything specific."

How was the business established?

SEVEN82MOTORS has an enviable reputation for delivering very cool, quality vehicles and has more than a decade of success behind it. But every successful business starts somewhere and, as with many people in automotive, it was a childhood passion for cars that would see Ben become involved in the industry.

A love of the XB Ford coupes – fuelled by an XB owned by his father – would eventually see Ben and a friend establish, in 2004, a business selling classic American and Australian cars. From there, things evolved quickly.

“Not long after that, I connected with my birth father who was a motor dealer in Brisbane,” says Ben. “I went to work for him for about a year before coming back down to the Gold Coast to open a shop alongside a mate who was doing metal fabrication. I began importing classic cars again and it didn’t take long until we outgrew that space and I moved to Unit 7, 82 Ferry Road. That was the first shed that I got on

Below: This 1951 Chevy pick-up is wonderfully high-tech custom build. While it might look original, underneath that beautiful old-style exterior is, says Ben, 'an absolute weapon'.

The SEVEN82MOTORS team: Shaun Wallace, Chris Langtry, Ben Atkinson and Adrian Woodley.

10 | Motor Trader August 2017

The SEVEN82MOTORS workshop churns out spectular restorations and custom builds.

my own and was the place where I really backed myself.

“At the end of the road was a tyre shop that also did mechanical work. Chris was working there and he used to come and stick his head in my shop all the time. One day, I was getting a roadworthy done and Chris was doing the job. I knew that their shop was struggling so I let him know that if he was looking for work he could come and do one day a week with me. He started doing that and when I moved to these premises in 2007, he came out with me full time. We’ve grown from there.”

Who are your staff?

Ben is keen to emphasise how important his team is to SEVEN82MOTORS. Not just employees, they bring skills, passion and personality to their work and are a crucial component of the business's success.

“I have the best team,” says Ben. “Chris oversees it all, Adrian is a mad fabricator and a really good all-rounder and Shaun is a great mechanic.

“This is my business and I get lumped with all the bills, but Chris is as much part of it as I am. We have a cool friendship and business relationship, he is the smartest dude I have ever met and together we work really well.

I do all the business, marketing, branding and promotional stuff, and he builds the coolest stuff in the world. He’s a hotrodder, a member of the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee), a hot rod inspector, and he has his roadworthy licence and is training for engineering codes.

“In fact, some time ago he was crucial in getting airbag suspension legalised in Queensland. At the time, I had a Cadillac that was air-bagged and a client said he wanted to own it but wanted it to be street legal.

"So we worked with Qld Transport and an engineer named Tim Bartrop and over about seven months Chris kept doing what had to be done until we proved that we could make air-ride suspension safe and they couldn't say no. It eventually became a mod-plateable code.

“As for Adrian, as I said, he is a mad fabricator, a really good all-rounder, and is our custom guy who makes everything look really pretty. He built the twin-turbo Camaro in our showroom and that's how we found him. He

had built it in his garage, took it to Summernats, got top 20, and it became a Street Machine cover car. We got onto him and said he should come and work with us and he did – he packed up, sold his house in Canberra, and moved up here.

“Together, Chris and Adrian are a special combination – they can build anything and make it functional, practical and look really dope!

“As for Shaun, he is a great mechanic and can do whatever you give him and do it on his own, do it well and without the need for guidance. All my boys are clever and there is not much we can’t do.”

While the SEVEN82MOTORS team is elite, Ben does keep an eye out for gifted technicians who might work with them.

To get a job here though, you need to have something special.

“What do I look for? Hot rodders,” says Ben. “We don’t just swap parts here - we have to make it, and it all has to work, and it has to be engineerable and roadworthy.

“Unfortunately, I am not in a position to educate everyone – I need people who can bring skills to my table.

I’m happy for it to be a two-way street and you’ll learn a lot while you’re here, but I don’t need general mechanics.”

To what can you attribute your success?

So after more than a decade running SEVEN82MOTORS, what is the reason for Ben's success?

“Commitment and passion,” he says. “It’s a rollercoaster.

We are so affected by the dollar that every year is different but I’m pretty good at adapting to change and am a believer in taking time to look at what’s working and stopping what isn’t.

It’s similar in the workshop in that we are selective in what we do. I like to use the ‘John West theory’ - that it’s the cars we reject that makes us better. If someone comes here and wants a purple and yellow hot rod with weird stuff on it, then we don’t build it. Even if they have all the money in the world, if they are not building something cool, we won’t do it.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 11

Above: Ben with son Luke and the XB coupe originally owned by Ben's father.

More than 20 years after his dad sold the car, Ben tracked it down, bought it back and is now converting it into a standout showcar.

Inset: A family snap of the XB in its original form.

“I could have 10 mechanics but then we’d be in a spot where we have to build the stupid purple and yellow hot rod just to keep them busy,” he adds with a laugh. “We’ve got a neat little balance here where I am able to find the right cars to have on the showroom floor and the right cars to build. And that’s my sweet spot.”

Of all the cars you’ve bought and sold, restored and customised, is there one that stands out for you?

“I used to muck around with XA and XB Coupes,” says Ben. “My dad had one from new when I was kid and I remember he came home without it one day. I hated that!

I was a young fella and I loved that car, so when I was old enough to get a car of my own, that is what I wanted – though I could only afford the four-door!

“Anyway, I decided a little while back that I wanted to see if I could get dad’s original car. He had become ill but was able to tell me a lot about it including the number plate which, at the time, I didn't know because in the three photos I had of the XB, the plate was obscured!

“I wrote down all the information he gave me and ended up getting in contact with a lady in the transport department.

I discovered that although it had not been registered for 12 years, that number plate was still attached to an XB coupe.

So I wrote a letter to her to explain what I was trying to do and another letter for her to forward to the last registered owner. Never thinking anything would come of this, I bought another coupe and dad and I began restoring that. We were about halfway through when one day the phone rings and a guy says: ‘I think I’ve got your dad’s car in my shed.’

“I bought the car, removed the car that dad and I had been working on, and then gave him the book from his original XB to read. When he worked out that we had his car back, it was pretty special.

“When dad passed away, we pulled it down and began turning it into a show car. We’re still working on it but that is my favourite car.”

What does the future hold for SEVEN82MOTORS? “Everything in our showroom is for sale,” says Ben. “We have exported to Indonesia, Europe, New Zealand, America and China. And that is something I would like to expand on. We’ve got the facility, we know what we’re doing, and our cars are cheap compared to the rest of the world.

"I am also a dreamer and at any given point I have a ton 12 | Motor Trader August 2017

of stuff in my head!” he adds. We have some things planned that will blow your mind!”

There’s also the possibility of a slot on our TV screens thanks to some U.S. network interest. Though mindful of the pitfalls associated with TV, it’s a project with potential.

“It’s one those things,” he says. “There’s a gazillion more chances that it will go nowhere than somewhere but I am a bit of a dreamer and it would be silly not to have a crack at it.”

What do you do with your spare time, if you have any?

“It’s funny, but I live in a kind of reverse-land,” he says with a laugh. “Everybody else does their daily grind during the week and then cruise cars on Sundays. I cruise cars six days a week and hang with my family on the Sunday. That’s my reality - spend Sunday with my family and do mum and dad stuff.”

Which brings us to our final question. Ben has two young children – Luke, aged 12, and Milly, aged 9. Luke helps out around the shop on occasion so is there a chance that a second generation of the family will be involved in the business? Is he interested in getting stuck in?

“You’d think that would be the case,” says Ben, “But kids only know the environment they grow up in and probably don’t get how unique this is. 90 per cent of the time, Luke probably just sees it as work. For instance, we might be in the middle of a conversation when my phone rings and I have to go and answer it – that’s what he sees, not ‘my dad’s selling a rad car’. However, he does come in to help keep the cars and the shop clean, and take videos and photos which he edits for me.

“There’s nothing I’d love more than for him to want to come and hang with me for the rest of my life, but he is his own person.”

Whether Luke joins his dad in the business or not, Ben is happy with his lot. And why not? Doing something you have a passion for is surely the goal for everyone.

“This is my world and I’m lucky to live in it,” he says. “It’s cool to come here, have a beer and look out of the window and see what we have made – that means something to me. ““And I’m so proud of the boys. They make such cool stuff and I hope that when people look back at the Australian car scene, we will have left our mark.

“I was going through my phone the other day and looking at all my photos and realised we have put hundreds of cars on the street over the years. It is nice to look back and reflect on that.

"At the end of the day, we keep growing and keep getting better and smarter and that’s all you can hope to do and be, isn’t it?"

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MTAQ weekly bulletin

NEW MTAQ WEEKLY INDUSTRY BULLETIN TO START THIS MONTH M TA QUEENSLAND HAS listened to members and clients and we are making BIG changes to the way we communicate.

The feedback ranges from MTA Queensland communicating ‘too much’ to ‘not receiving anything at all’.

To address these concerns, from August 2017, you will receive ONE Weekly Industry Bulletin.

This will replace all the variations of Member Bulletins we have sent in the past. You will no longer receive ad hoc Bulletins covering MTA Institute Courses, IR, Tax & Super News, Automotive News Update, Special Member Bulletins etc., throughout the course of each week.

Instead, we will provide only one communication each week, on the same day and at the same time.

The Bulletin will be sent at 11am every Thursday, beginning 3rd August (except public holidays where it will be the next business day).

Let us know if you don’t receive it!

On occasion, there may be a need to issue a Member Notice, but this will only happen when we need to send time-critical information, that cannot be left for the next Weekly Industry Bulletin.

The new Weekly Industry Bulletin will contain summaries of the information you need to know and links to our website, which is where the detailed information will be located.

It will include: • MTA Queensland and Industry News • MTA Institute Courses • Events • IR, Tax & Super News • MTA Institute Training News • Divisional News • Shop & Member Discounts 14 | Motor Trader August 2017

“THE NEW WEEKLY INDUSTRY BULLETIN WILL CONTAIN SUMMARIES OF THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW AND LINKS TO OUR WEBSITE, WHICH IS WHERE THE DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE LOCATED.” • • • • • • •

Member Resources Media Releases & Submissions Board News Jobs Board MTAQ Racing Team Motor Trader E-Magazine Corporate Partners

The Motor Trader E-Magazine does have a separate subscription list and will be issued independently at the beginning of each month as well as being included in the Weekly Industry Bulletin.

Some information (eg: Industrial Relations information) is found in the Member Only area and you will need login details to access. You will receive an email about logging in and your password. Please call 3237 8777 if you have any trouble with your login.

Important: Unsubscribing from this Weekly Industry Bulletin means you will no longer receive any communications from us in relation to many of the resources and information your membership entitles you to.

Planning for a super future Matthew Webster, 45 has a long way to go before he hangs up his hat, but is easily able to picture his retirement years.

He plans to grey nomad it around Australia in a caravan with his wife, once he convinces her that it will be a lot more fun than she expects.

Matt has spent his career in the motor trades and is well on the way to ensuring he has enough super to be able to see the nation in comfort. He started an apprenticeship in 1986 at the age of 16 and now works in an automotive training role in NSW. He became an MTAA Super member when it was first established in 1989.

“I’m really happy I’ve been with MTAA Super. It’s the industry super fund for my trade and has been supporting careers in the automotive industry for over 25 years.”

“I’m still a long way off retirement but I do think about what I will do when I stop working and how I will support myself and my family.”

Matt, like many Australians is not alone in his concern about life after work. We can now expect to spend more time in

retirement than any previous generation, thanks to changing work patterns and increased life expectancy.

Leeanne Turner, CEO of MTAA Super mentions “As people start drawing closer to the 60-mark, they begin to think more seriously about what they would like to do in their retirement and how they will be able to finance it. With people living longer, weak interest rates and stricter rules around the age pension, these concerns have come to the forefront like never before.”

Leeanne shares, “The key is to take advantage of the compounding nature of superannuation. Super gives the opportunity not just to grow one’s employer and voluntary contributions but to grow the investment returns on these contributions as well.”

“Small amounts can go a long way.

Making extra contributions as little as $25 per week early in your career can result in thousands of dollars over a 30+ year working life.”

“Extra super contributions can be particularly important for people in casual or part time employment as well as those who’ve needed to take career breaks to raise a family or care for sick or elderly relatives.”

With increasing life expectancy, many Australians could be in retirement for over 25 years and may well need to look at ways to boost their super such as salary sacrifice contributions and personal contributions.

Give your super a boost!

For ways to give your super a boost while you’re still working visit mtaasuper.com.au/take-control.

1300 362 415 mtaasuper.com.au/take-control

This article is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd and Members Equity Bank Limited. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

CARMAGEDDON: FOCUSING ON AUTOMOTIVE EVOLUTION

O

N 12 JULY, MTA Queensland held the second of its Carmageddon symposiums.

Once more bringing together leaders in innovation from the business and academic worlds, Carmageddon – Leading the Way, as the second symposium was called, had a focus on the digital world and the disruption, and opportunities, it will bring to the automotive industry. Presentations from guest speakers

16 | Motor Trader August 2017

included looking at where the next business opportunities may lie; exploring the possibilities of the digital economy; the way technology in the form of virtual reality can be used to support business growth; the innovation within communications and even intellectual property law.

Attended by more than 70 guests, the day included demonstrations of new technology in the Carmageddon 'Landing Zone', with exhibitors presenting a wide range of

More than 70 people from industry attended Carmageddon and were able to examine products from Landing Zone exhibitors including Immerse Enterprise, who demonstrated Virtual Reality technology, Milwaukee Tools and Axalta Coating Systems

new products – from workshop equipment to software “And there has been a change in the way we think. There are a lot of people who are starting to ignore brands and to virtual reality hardware. focus instead on trust. They trust 5-star ratings given to In his opening address, Dr Brett Dale, MTA Queensland people they don’t know BY people they don’t know! Trust is Group CEO, recognised that although the level of the new currency.” technological disruption may make for a difficult transition These changes affect the wider economy but the impact for the industry, the opportunities are vast and the time on automotive will also be stark. Traditional jobs may was right to consider them. disappear with new, as yet unidentified, “As far as opportunity and innovation goes roles set to replace them and organisations for industry, we can see that where we are now will have to examine how they do business. as a society, as a nation, as an industry, is really The shift from 'the age of automation exciting," he said. to the age of digitisation’, as Professor “We have, for many years, been leaders in Kowalkiewicz called it, meant analysistechnology, with our manufacturers at the driven corporations that looked to the forefront of producing and delivering tech that past to predict the future and which meets the needs and wants of motorists and concentrated on economies of scale and business. No matter what sector we work in, cost efficiencies, were displaying too we have been able to manage and make the narrow a focus. most of that technology.

“It is very important for us to look “With this new level of disruption, we must Dr Brett Dale, MTA Queensland Group CEO around, not only inside our industry, but respond again. If we don’t react responsibly to outside, to see what trends and technologies the level of disruption that is coming, there is are there and think about how they could apply to our a risk of not being successful. However, if we contemplate industry or organisations,” he said. these changes now, become agile and responsive to new So, what are these trends and technologies? The opportunities and think about these changes as real range of them highlighted by Professor Kowalkiewicz potential for business, Australia will be back in the market was eye-opening and included, amongst others, mass and competing globally for the first time in a long time.” personalisation, new channels of interaction, local manufacturing using 3D printing technology and the zeroOME OF THE possibilities offered by new technology were revealed by the first guest speaker, cost expectation of customers.

Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz, Head of PwC One example of zero-cost expectation is Chair in Digital Economy, QUT. Professor GPS systems. The Professor pointed out that Kowalkiewicz began his presentation by just a few years ago, these systems were being considering the changes that have occured in bought for a few hundred dollars with maps the recent past. that had to be updated regularly, at a cost.

“There has been a change in the way we Today, with smartphones, that is a service live, work and think in the past few years," he you get, and expect to get, for free. said. "Imagine, for example, 20 years ago, if Looking forward, Professor Kowalkiewicz you wanted to book a place somewhere in the said insurance might be a sector where middle of nowhere in Norway. It would have zero-cost expectation could take hold. He Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz, been tricky to do. These days you know exactly Head of PwC Chair in Digital Economy, QUT theorised that rather than pay for a year’s what to do - you go online and within five worth of insurance on a car that spends most minutes you can find a place. of its time in a parking space, someone with a connected car “In work, a lot of online businesses were started in a could be insured ‘by the journey’ and, perhaps, not even have bedroom and continue in a bedroom simply because there to pay for that. is no need to create large offices or move to large locations “We did some work for the Motor Accident Insurance – a lot of digital businesses are independent from physical Commission some time ago and saw the emergence of requirements. zero-cost expectation,” he said. “For instance, if I am

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August 2017 Motor Trader | 17

going shopping, perhaps I can get the shopping centre to "We do believe that the next platform for commerce is pay for the insurance for my trip. That way, they will get me the car," said Mr Naylor. to come to them rather than a competitor.”

In the future, he said that Telstra expects everything to Another very interesting area discussed by Professor be connected – home, car, everything - and that this would Kowalkiewicz was the participation of companies such give the company the ability to pull data from a wide range as Google in the self-driving car business. He showed guests of sources, connect it all together and enhance the customer an image of a young woman driving a car who was, at the experience. same time, trying to talk on her hand-held phone while “We have a platform that allows us to not just take the sipping a coffee. data from cars but also from a whole range of connected While most Carmageddon guests assumed the woman was services," said Mr Naylor. "For example, we can now overlay being unnecesarily distracted by the coffee and the phone, the positions of mobile phones we have out there – and the Professor asked whether it was, in fact, fthe car that was we have about 65 per cent of the market – on to a map and the distraction - distracting the young woman get very high-quality data about traffic from enjoying her coffee and making her phone flows that we can feed back into real-time call. With self-driving cars, that distraction navigation. That’s one example of how we is removed, allowing the 'driver' to enjoy the are pulling in data from a range of services." journey as they desire. This scenario, suggested Understanding that the development of the Professor, might be part of the explaination connected cars, and systems that can utilise as to why Google was getting into the selfthem in this way, is good for all, Mr Naylor driving car business. said that the platform was being developed “Is Google building self-driving cars to for business. compete with Tesla and GM, or do they have “We understand that this needs to be a different reason?” he asked. “I do genuinely an ecosystem that enables lots of different David Naylor, Business Development think this (self-driving cars) is the ‘mobile businesses to get data from cars, or data from Executive, Telstra phone’ of the future. other services, to then provide an experience "A mobile phone is a platform for back to the people driving the cars. We have communication and there are service providers who use made this an open system-based platform, so we can work the phone’s screen to communicate with me and offer their with people who want to use it. services. If we are going to spend time in self-driving cars, “I liken it to us being a big shopping centre," he added. then it will be whoever owns the screen inside the car who "The shopping centre is owned by someone, like a Westfield, will own the relationship with us and be able to sell us and they provide all the services so that you can go and set services." up your shop or business there. That is what we are trying to Whatever the reason behind tech companies getting do – build a platform where business can come to us and set involved with self-driving cars, it would appear the cars will up in the way they want around the use of the the data and be much more than a way to get from point A to point B. system features.”

Other areas Telstra are looking at in terms of connected URING HIS PRESENTATION, David cars are roadside services - where a Naylor, Business Development Executive mechanical business can monitor the health for Telstra, showed that the communications of a customer's car and warn them of any giant was already moving in some of the areas issues - and pay-as-you-drive insurance highlighted by Professor Kowalkiewicz services and registration, meaning that Mr Naylor said the company had carried out you pay only when the car is being used. A surveys with customers regarding connected connected vehicle could also, should vehicles in an effort to understand what Telstra it be involved in an accident, CLICK TO VISIT could do to enhance customer experience. alert the police, next of kin and THE IMMERSE ENTERPRISE There were some interesting answers. insurance company, all on its own.

WEBSITE “People want their car to be safe, they want The mind boggles at what is to have control of their car and be able to do just around the corner. It will be Lex van Cooten, Immerse Academy different things with it,” he said. “Safety was remarkable. And that is not all. something people expected but did not expect to pay for. Only 3 per cent of people said they would pay HILE CONNECTED CARS extra money for extra safety features that came with having can talk to each other, and the services delivered a connected vehicle.” to these vehicles will be incredible, what about buying Having different services available in the car, however, the car itself ? At the moment, you still must travel to a was deemed as very valuable, as was the possibility that a dealership, find a salesperson, talk about the car you connected car, through a variety of ways, could help them want, the features you want, the colour you want and, with the total cost of ownership. ‘Making life easier’ was also of course, the price. All that could well change thanks to important to respondents.

Virtual Reality.

“That could be as simple as having the ability to tell your Lex van Cooten, from VR content creation and training car what your next trip is before you get in," said Mr Naylor. company Immerse Enterprise, delivered a presentation on Making life easier, and having different services available VR technology that might just prove to be a game changer in a connected car are priorites for Telstra. for dealerships. Working in conjunction with Hyundai

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18 | Motor Trader August 2017

and the Llewellyn Dealership Group, Mr van Cooten and his team created a 360-degree video of the new Hyundai i30 being driven in Sydney, as well as a virtual Hyundai showroom. The purpose? To see just what could be done with this most science fiction of technologies.

“Basically, we placed the user within the 360-degree video allowing us to take them on a test drive on the streets of Sydney,” said Mr van Cooten. “The showroom project we did allows a potential customer to experience the car, and the dealer to showcase its latest features, simply by putting them in virtual reality.”

Using VR in this way for test drives and showcasing features has many benefits, not least in assisting potential customers who have difficulty in getting to a traditional showroom - for example, a busy parent or someone with a disability. VR offers a solution.

“With VR, you can get your customer to experience your product from wherever they are – be it at their home or a shopping centre. And that was something we were exploring with Llewellyn," said Mr van Cooten. "What happens when somebody can go for a test drive while they are out grabbing their groceries in a shopping centre? Do you, in fact, need the amount of real estate dedicated to a car dealership when people can go for a test drive in their local shopping mall?”

From the demonstration of an entire vehicle catalogue range, to helping manufacturers test the usability of a car, to examining how people interact with the design of a vehicle's interior, VR can be tailored to just about any use and it is already being utilised by the industry in a variety of ways.

And with some seriously heavy-hitting companies backing the technology - including Oculus (owned by Facebook), Microsoft, Google and Samsung - Virtual Reality is much more likely to become a part of our everyday lives over the next few years.

F

OR MTA QUEENSLAND, the state’s industry peak body, the Carmageddon events allow the Association to focus on automotive evolution and highlight that its vision of supporting the industry reaches far into the future.

“We remain committed to doing what is totally relevant to support the ability to transform an existing business into a business that is ready for new technology, or that helps the development of great ideas and their application to industry,” said Dr Dale.

“We know that 70-80 per cent of existing jobs will change or disappear over the next few years and through the MTA Institute we are committed to staying in that space and advising bodies that regulate occupations to ensure they align with emerging technologies.

“We also know that the competitiveness of business is going to be linked to human traits, and through initiatives such as our innovation hub, along with a collaborative spirit, we will support the human potential to turn ideas into outcomes. We have resources here – lawyers, marketers, IT specialists - that small and medium businesses may not have. Collaboration is key for success in the future.

“It’s a different world to the one we are used to operating in but it has huge opportunities if we work together. I think as far as automotive goes, it is an exciting time to be in that space and we are looking forward to working with the industry more closely to ensure success.”

ANTHONY KUHLMANN AND BINDI TROUNG FROM COMMONWEALTH BANK PRESENTERS ANTHONY KUHLMANN and Bindi Troung took first place in the CBA’s largest innovation competition, Intrapreneur, and delivered a presentation on the Commonwealth Bank Innovation lab, the pace of change, and ‘mega’ trends.

The CBA has three innovation labs across the world –Sydney, Hong Kong and London –and they Anthony Kuhlmann were, said the duo, an opportunity to harvest ideas within the business.

“The main purpose of these labs is to create an ecosystem that allows us to conduct R&D for new concepts - new business ideas and technology for CBA and its clients,” said Mr Kuhlmann.

The pair also highlighted that consumers are more demanding than ever before, require more for less, and demand not only a faster and seamless user experience, but also the use of Bindi Troungn ethical sources in business as well as corporate governance transparency.

As for trends, looking forward to 2030 Ms Troung said that China and India will account for 25 per cent of global GDP; 60 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities; and in some countries, people will have better access to mobile phones than to electricity, clean water or even a bank account.

PROFESSOR MATTHEW RIMMER, QUT IP AND INNOVATION LAW PROGRAM. PROFESSOR RIMMER HIGHLIGHTED the interest of his team of researchers into a range of areas affecting the car industry - from international trade law and trade agreements to work on intellectual property, including copyright law, trademark law and patent law. Having worked on media and communications law, Professor Rimmer also noted that privacy, data protection and confidentiality, is Professor Matthew Rimmer a key issue with the emergence of connected cars.

While discussing Innovation law, and how those laws deal with new and emerging disruptive technologies, Professor Rimmer also noted that Australia had not been good at commercialising its intellectual property and that the federal government was considering the redesign of intellectual property laws in Australia.

CHRISTIAN SCHAEFER, FOUNDER OF CARHOOD AND THECARTEST

CLICK TO VISIT

THECARTEST A BUSINESSMAN attuned WEBSITE to opportunities in automotive and the sharing economy, in 2014 Mr Schaefer founded Carhood a business that facilitates the renting of your vehicle when you leave it at one of the company’s airport locations (they have a presence in five states across Christian Schaefer Australia). Mr Schaefer also founded TheCarTest – a venture that ‘is about understanding the consumer and how they buy new cars’. During his presentation, Mr Schaefer discussed how the next generation of car buyers ‘have an expectation of the retail experience that it is all about their needs and wants’. TheCarTest confronts that reality and offers an on-demand concierge vehicle test driving service - delivering a consumer’s shortlist of cars to their home or office for an extended ‘try before you buy’ test drive experience ranging from 3-7 days.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 19

MTAQ Racing Team

MTAQ RACING TEAM SET FOR NATIONAL EXCEL RUMBLE

A

FTER A NEARLY two-month wait, the MTAQ Racing Team hits the track once more on the weekend of August 4-6 to take part in the Federal Tyres Invitational Excel Cup at Queensland Raceway.

Part of the Shannons Nationals series event, the Invitational is not an official round of the Queensland Hyundai Excel X3 Series, but will nevertheless be a serious challenge with top-level competition.

“This the first time Excels have been invited to compete at a national-level race meeting,” said David Wood, MTAQ Racing Team’s driver. “It is effectively an audition for a rumoured four-event Australian Excel Championship in 2018 and will serve as a full, dress rehearsal for the Excel Nationals event in November.

“The opposition will be fierce,” he added. “Along with our regular CAMS Queensland Championship rivals, we also will come up against visitors from other Excel championships.

It will feature the 2017 Hyundai National champion; the 2014, ‘15 and ‘16 Queensland Champions; the 2017 Queensland championship leader; and 20 | Motor Trader March 2017

“IT’S A STAR-STUDDED FIELD OF 32 CARS WITH THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS ALL TURNING UP AND WILL BE A REAL STERN TEST OF HOW FAR WE HAVE COME.” the top six cars from the Track Attack Excel series as well as young guns from interstate that run at the front in NSW and Victoria. It’s a star-studded field of 32 cars with the best in the business all turning up and will be a real stern test of how far we have come.”

The MTAQ team has not been idle in the run-up to the weekend’s meeting with plenty of work going in to improve the car after the first Queensland championship meeting at Morgan Park Raceway ended with a respectable mid-table finish.

“The focus since that first event has been on improving the car and bringing it closer to the front-running pace,” said David. “The first issue to address was the deficiency in engine

CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MTAQ RACING

power. We recently ran the car on a dyno for the first time and the initial numbers were a long way off the benchmark - which explained a lot!

“With some tuning and tweaking, we have been able to find a 15 per cent gain in power and torque which brings us up to the sort of numbers, we believe, of the front-running cars. This was on the back of a revised exhaust system, revised fuel system, heavily revised air intake, and playing with settings to see what the car likes and where it makes power.

“We have also changed some suspension components to help balance the handling, and revised the suspension geometry and settings. We did find a problem with the front end after Morgan Park, so have addressed that and have adjusted the gearbox.

“All in all, I am expecting the car to be much improved at the next event.

Our aim is to run inside the top 10, which sounds like a modest goal but with the quality of the opposition even that will be tough. Having said that, we will be trying very hard and I am confident that if the car is on song, we will be in the mix.”

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Auto news

VOLVO TO GO ELECTRIC AS FRANCE & UK PUT BRAKES ON PETROL POWER V OLVO CARS ANNOUNCED at the beginning of July that every Volvo it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor. The announcement marks the end of the company’s production of cars that have only an internal combustion engine (ICE), places electrification at the core of its future business and represents one of the most significant moves by any car maker to embrace electrification.

“This is about the customer,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “People increasingly demand electrified cars, and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish.”

The company says it will introduce a portfolio of electrified cars across its model range, embracing fully electric, and hybrid, cars.

It will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high-performance electrified cars from Polestar, Volvo Cars’ performance car arm. Full details of these models will 22 | Motor Trader August 2017

be announced at a later date. These five cars will be supplemented by a range of petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid 48-volt options on all models, representing one of the broadest electrified car offerings of any car maker.

This means that there will in future be no Volvo cars without an electric motor, as pure ICE cars are gradually phased out and replaced

by ICE cars that are enhanced with electrified options.

“This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion enginepowered car,” said Mr Samuelsson.

“Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of 1million electrified cars by 2025. When we said it, we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.”

WATCH THE VIDEO: VOLVO COMMITTING TO ELECTRIFICATION

The company says the announcement underlines its commitment to ‘minimising its environmental impact and making the cities of the future cleaner’ while it is also focused on reducing the carbon emissions of both its products as well as its operations. It aims to have climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2025.

Hot on the heels of Volvo’s announcement, actually just 24 hours later, came another industry-rattling statement, this time from the French government. In a wide-ranging speech regarding his nation’s commitment to battling climate change, Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot announced that France would ban the sale of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040.

On July 26 the UK followed suit, with Environment Minister Michael Gove and Transport Minister Chris Grayling unveiling a plan to end the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2040, and make nearly every car and van on UK roads emissionfree by 2050, in an effort to tackle air pollution. The plan involves investment in vehicle development and public transport and makes up part of a comprehensive Clean Air Strategy to be published next year.

“We are determined to deliver a green revolution in transport and reduce pollution in our towns and cities,” said Grayling in a statement.

“We are taking bold action and want nearly every car and van on UK roads to be zero emission by 2050 which is why we’ve committed to

investing more than £600m ($990m) in construction of more power stations. the development, manufacture and use And what type of power station would of ultra-low emission vehicles by 2020. they be? Nuclear? Coal-fired?

“Today we commit £100m ($165m) Whatever the answer, the towards new low emission buses and momentum towards an all-electric retrofitting older buses with cleaner future, or at least a future with a mix engines. of all-electric and hybrid technology, “We are also putting forward seems unstoppable. proposals for van drivers to have the right to use heavier vehicles if they are electric or gas-powered, making it easier for businesses to opt for cleaner commercial For over 25 years we’ve built our name vehicles.” as the leading industry fund for the automotive industry.

The announcements We exist solely to benefit you. by the French Whether you’re paying your team’s super, or building your own, and UK we have the tools, resources and governments people to help you make financial have spurred decisions that work for you. debate on the To find out how we can support you, subject of the call us or visit our website today. practicality of the plans and 1300 362 415 their cost. In the mtaasuper.com.au/get-started UK, for example, it has been reported that the expected surge in electrical demand as This document is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. people move to Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). The information provided is of a electric vehicles general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation.

You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision could only be based on this information. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks. met with the You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

Members first, always.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 23

Auto news

MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS GETS LAUNCH DATE WATCH THE VIDEO: THE MERCEDES X-CLASS

M

ERCEDES-BENZ VANS ANNOUNCED the new X-Class ute will launch in Europe in November 2017 with Australia and South Africa to follow early in 2018.

The company says the X-Class

has been specifically developed for the changing requirements of the ute market in mind. The demand for midsize utes with typical passenger car characteristics and comfort features has been steadily on the rise for years. At the same time, the number of utes for private use is increasing. They are no longer viewed purely as The world’s largest multi-manufacturer accident repair database is now available in Australia and New Zealand. 'workhorses'.

There are New local content three design An extensive research program developing escribe for the and equipment local markets is now well underway. variants to choose from as well With $3.5M being invested, new vehicles are added as four or sixevery month, significantly increasing market cylinder engines, coverage. rear-wheel drive Extra information and engageable In addition to repair methods, escribe supplies times and technical data, offering operational efficiencies and competitive or permanent advantage. all-wheel drive, a Training program six-speed manual To get the most out of escribe, sign up to a Thatcham certified training course. Available FREE to all current subscribers. transmission and Value for money a seven-speed Licence fee discounts extended for another year. automatic Local support Help and support available via dedicated web based Help Centre transmission. and Australian Help Desk.

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and coil springs on both axles.

Built on this platform, the X-Class will be available in three model variants to suit different lifestyles and work environments: the X-Class PURE for rugged, functional use – the ‘workhorse’; the X-Class PROGRESSIVE rugged ute with extra styling and comfort functions; and the X-Class POWER which sports a high-end design and equipment line - a ‘lifestyle’ vehicle.

“The high level of interest and anticipation in the lead up to revealing the new X-Class has been a reflection of just how engrained dual cab utes are in both the Australian and New Zealand culture,” said Diane Tarr, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand.

“The fact is we love utes and we are showing a desire to incorporate this type of vehicle into our lives in more ways than we did in the past. Not just for work, but also increasingly for private use.

“The new X-Class finds the perfect balance between the stylish design expected of a Mercedes-Benz and the uncompromising robustness and functionality demanded of the category. As a result, with the X-Class, we can effectively provide a solution for trade and fleet customers, and we will find out just how far this category can evolve for private customers who need the vehicle to support their lifestyle.”

AUSTRALIA'S AUTMOTIVE INDUSTRY POSTS JUNE MONTHLY SALES RECORD AUSTRALIA’S NEW MOTOR vehicle sales achieved a record sales result for June, according to the motor industry’s statistical service VFACTS. 134,171 vehicles were sold in June – an increase of 4.4 per cent on the 128,569 vehicles sold in the same month last year.

Sales of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were up by 11.7 per cent over June 2016, and light commercials by 12.2 per cent. Passenger vehicle sales were down by 5.9 per cent compared with the same month last year.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) noted that demand was, in the main, driven by the business sector with sales to businesses for passenger cars increasing by 5.7 per cent and demand for SUVs and light commercials up by 16.6 per cent.

The most significant June volume growth was in the medium SUV segment (5,402 sales, up by 32.6 per cent), upper large SUV (+20.8 per cent), and pick-up/cab-chassis 4X4 light commercials (+16.7 per cent). Passenger vehicle segments which lifted during June were sports cars (+38.2 per cent) and people movers (+15.4 per cent).

All the states and territories, except Western Australia, produced sales increases with Queensland posting a +5.5 per cent rise.

Toyota remained the industry leader with a market share of 18.3 per cent, followed by Mazda (9.3 per cent), Hyundai (9.1 per cent).

Holden and Mitsubishi both had a 6.9 per cent market share.

The Toyota Hilux remained the country’s top-selling vehicle with 5,461 sales.

TESLA DELIVERS FIRST MODEL 3 T

ESLA HAS PRESENTED the production target of 5000 cars a week first of its Model 3 production going up to 10,000 a week by the end cars to buyers. 30 of the sleek of next year. Anybody ordering the all-electric machines were handed car today would, Musk said, likely be over to new owners by CEO Elon Musk waiting until the end of 2018 at a major event held at the company's for delivery.

Fremont, California factory on 28 July.

There two variants of the Model However, though the event was a 3 are the Standard and the Long celebration, Musk also talked about Range. The Standard, at $US35,000 the huge task the company faces in ($AU43,600) will have a range of fulfilling orders for the car. Tesla's 350kms, while the Long Range, first effort at an affordable, mass priced at $US44,000 ($AU54,800) will production car, the Model 3 was made travel 500kms. Both are quick, doing available to order in March 2016 and 0-100km.h in under six seconds and had received nearly 400,000 orders in topping out at over 200km/h. less than a month.

"We are WATCH THE VIDEO: THE TESLA MODEL 3 going to be in production hell . . . for maybe six months, maybe longer," said Musk. "We are building these cars as fast as we can."

He added that the company had an intial

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August 2017 Motor Trader | 25

Auto news

NEXT-GEN COMMODORE VXR REVEALED H OLDEN HAS REVEALED the range-topping VXR variant of the next-generation Holden Commodore.

The model boasts a 3.6-litre V6 engine pumping out 235kW (315hp) paired with a 9-speed transmission and adaptive all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring technology and a twin-clutch rear differential.

Brembo front brakes and a sports set-up allow drivers to switch between driving modes. Driver-adjustable settings include Continuous Damping Control (CDC), steering, transmission

and the adaptive AWD system.

The next-generation Commodore VXR also adds sports styling with bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels, larger rear spoiler, front and rear sports fascias and premium VXR sill plates.

Other highlights include adaptive LED Matrix headlights, heated and ventilated leather performance front seats and a wealth of cutting-edge driver assistance technology.

The next-generation Commodore VXR will be on sale alongside the rest of the sedan range, Sportwagon and Tourer body styles, in early 2018.

WATCH THE VIDEO: THE NEXT-GENERATION COMMODORE

NEXT-GENERATION COMMODORE VXR KEY HIGHLIGHTS Performance credentials

• 3.6-litre V6 engine • 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifter select • Adaptive AWD with torque vectoring • Hi-per strut suspension • Three driver-select modes for engaging drive experience;

Sports inspired styling • Front and rear sports fascias • Unique VXR rear lip spoiler • 20-inch alloy wheels • Unique VXR sports performance front seats • Heated and ventilated leather front seats

Cutting-edge driver assistance systems and technology • Next-generation Adaptive LED Matrix headlights • 360 degree camera • Autonomous Emergency Braking (with pedestrian protection) • Adaptive Cruise Control • Lane Departure Warning • Lane Keep Assist • Forward Collision Alert • Side Blind-Zone Alert • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert • Head Up Display 26 | Motor Trader August 2017

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T’S PROBABLY NOT stretching the truth much to say that anyone who loves cars has a soft spot for the Ford Mustang.

Millions of Mustangs, in all their various guises, have been bought since it first appeared in the mid-1960s and along with names such as Beetle, Mini, E-type and perhaps a handful of others, the pony car is as iconic as a car can be.

And yet, as special as a classic Mustang – say a ’65 Shelby GT or a ’71 Mach 1 – may be, there are other models out there that are just so blisteringly cool they make your jaw drop and your eyes tear up.

Like this one. You may recognise it.

It’s an ‘Eleanor’ – a name bestowed upon it not by the pin-striped executives or design nerds at Ford, but by a film company which, in 2000, made a fairly decent remake of a fairly decent action movie called Gone In 60 Seconds. The film, for those of you who don’t know, revolved around a car thief tasked to steal a bunch of high-end vehicles, one of which, in the 2000 film, was a ’67 Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake that he named ‘Eleanor’. It was worthy of the character’s devotion – a quite stunning, beefed-up fastback with an engine that could drown out a thunderstorm. However, in the real world, no such car had

MAKE: FORD / CARROLL SHELBY MODEL: GT500SE SUPER SNAKE ENGINE: 427 FE, SUPERCHARGED ALUMINIUM BIG BLOCK RACE ENGINE OWNER: IAIN KIPPEN OWNED SINCE: 2012

GONE IN 60 SECONDS - OFFICIAL® TRAILER

ever been manufactured. It was a figment of the filmmaker’s imagination. But as is the way of things sometimes, what was once myth became reality. The movie was a success and ‘Eleanor’ was clearly the star. Cue petrolheads everywhere clamouring to get their hands on one.

A year later, in 2001, Carroll Shelby delivered. Already

a legend amongst fans of Ford and the wider motoring community thanks to cars such as the Cobra and the high-performance Mustangs he developed throughout the ‘60s, Shelby agreed to allow the official, licensed Iain Kippen production of 70 ‘Eleanors’ – GT500 Super Snakes that would look near-identical to the movie car.

This continuation production car would have to meet some pretty stringent stipulations mind you. It would have to be based on an original 1967 big-block GT500 Mustang and be upgraded and fitted only with Shelby original or approved parts and components.

As it turned out, while 70 cars were licensed to be built, only 43 were ever completed and officially entered on the Shelby Register, making an already desirable and rare car even more so. And, rather amazingly, two of these August 2017 Motor Trader | 29

thunderous and beautiful machines have their home in Queensland.

This one is owned by classic car aficionado, and owner of Bissell’s Paint and Panel in Noosaville, Iain Kippen who, you may remember, is also the owner of the continuation Shelby Cobra we were lucky enough to report on a couple of editions back.

This GT500SE Super Snake is, perhaps, the crown jewel in Iain’s collection of cars – a genuine Hollywood superstar and supercharged behemoth that churns out 770bhp at the flywheel. And yet it was not a car that, at first, he had any thoughts of buying.

“I found the car through licensed builder Queensland Musclecar in Noosa,” says Iain. “I was actually looking for a ’69 Boss to restore but while I was there I saw their Eleanor.

I asked about it and I assumed I wouldn’t be able to get one 30 | Motor Trader June 2017

but they told me they had one build left.

“As it turns out, their Eleanor and mine are, I believe, the only right-hand drive models ever built.”

While the right-hand drive nature of his car makes it especially rare, it is what has gone into making the Super Snake that makes it extraordinary.

“It had to be an original ‘67 big-block GT500 Mustang,” says Iain. “It has an aluminium 427FE racing big block and from there it had has been up-specced with Shelbyapproved components including coilover suspension, disc brakes, a Tremec T5 gearbox, a Torson differential and a host of other features including a Vortech supercharger.”

For the build, the mechanical work was carried out by Queensland Musclecar while Iain completed the bodywork restoration at Bissell’s Paint & Panel. It was a tough and long job, and one to which he added a personal touch.

“A full restoration of the body was required,” he says.

“I purchased the car in 2012 and finished it only a few months ago. It has been something of a side project and restorations do take a long time. Thousands of hours were put into it with 900 hours just in getting the body prepped for paint.

“Talking of the paint, while the colour would normally be pepperpot grey with black stripes, that grey was, I think, quite muddy and not one I particularly liked. So I went with a gunmetal grey that didn’t look quite so dirty and added silver stripes. I preferred that and I do think it is an improvement.”

It certainly is a wonderful-looking vehicle, and its rarity and value means Iain will be treating it with kid gloves, keeping his investment in as pristine condition as can be.

He has, of course, taken it for a spin since its completion, and it is, he claims, a brilliant drive.

“I drive it a couple of times a week and I will continue

to drive it regularly for the next few months before I put it away,” he says. “With more than 700bhp, it is extremely powerful, but with all the modern components – suspension, brakes, power steering and so on – it is amazingly easy to drive.”

Easy to drive, beautiful to look at, rare as hen’s teeth and powerful enough to put the wind up anyone driving the latest techno-wonder from Europe.

It’s enough to make your jaw drop and your eyes tear up.

DO YOU HAVE A PRIDE AND JOY IN THE GARAGETHAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN THE PAGES OF MOTOR TRADER?

!

Contact Jonathan Nash at jonathann@mtaq.com.au and let’s see if we can share your classic with other members.

June 2017 Motor Trader | 31

News

MTAQ CONNECTS WITH THE FANS AT IPSWICH SUPERSPRINT

I

Supersprint is a great way for MTA T HAS BEEN a busy month for of the race goers. The first was the Queensland to engage and connect MTA Queensland on the motor MTAQ Racing Team car which, even with the motoring public and the racing scene. At the beginning of in the presence of the thundering V8 industry, and the Association’s booth supercars, garnered plenty of interest the month, the 2016 Apprentice of received plenty of visitors. from race enthusiasts. The second was the Year, Jamahl Byrne, was in the pit “The traffic was heavy throughout a video game racing simulator, and garage at the Townsville 400 working the weekend and there was plenty of there were plenty of petrolheads eager with the Team Vortex crew and Craig interest from the public keen to find to try their hand at the wheel in an Lowndes (see page 38 & 39); the last out what MTA Queensland is and effort to set the fastest time. few weeks has seen the MTAQ Racing what we do,” said John. “On the Friday, Attending events such as the Team work hard to prep the Excel race car for the big meeting MTA Queensland Area Managers John Robinson and at Queensland Raceway Andrew Bear flank Aynslee Bell, an administration assistant with MTAQ and track marsha l for Supercars events this weekend (see page 20) and, at the end of July, and also at Queensland Raceway, the Association attended the SuperSprint event of the Supercars Championship.

Area Managers Andrew Bear and John Robinson manned the MTA Queensland booth across the weekend, fielding The racing simulator and MTAQ Racing Team car attracted plenty of attention. questions from the public about the Association as well as enquiries about automotive training, and the duo brought with them a couple of extra items that caught the interest 32 | Motor Trader August 2017

Shane van Gisbergen pushing his Supercar hard at the Ipswich SuperSprint

John Robinson on track at Queensland Raceway

when the schools brought classes of kids through, it got very busy indeed.

Our racing simulator certainly got well used and there were lots of discussions with the youngsters about training and careers in the industry.”

Attending the event also allowed John and Andrew to reconnect with representatives of Triple Eight Race Engineering and their sponsor, and

MTA Queensland corporate partner, MTAA Super. MTA Queensland’s relationship with the championshipwinning Triple Eight outfit has seen several MTA Institute apprentices receive the opportunity of a lifetime to work with them at a number of Supercars events.

“The relationship with Triple Eight and MTAA Super has delivered some

tremendous opportunities for our apprentices,” said John. “And it is a relationship that continues to develop and strengthen. Together with the number of enquiries we received across the weekend regarding training and membership, it proves how valuable it is to have a presence at big and nationally important events such as this.”

MTA QUEENSLAND SPONSORS WILLOWBANK DRAG STRIP MTA QUEENSLAND WILL now have a long-standing presence at the Ipswich Motorsport Complex. A stone’s throw away from the Queensland Raceway ‘paperclip’ track is Willowbank Raceway, and the wall of the famous drag strip will now carry the MTA Queensland colours and branding.

Willowbank Raceway holds dozens of events throughout the year, from drag racing to swap meets to car shows, and the 12-month sponsorship deal means the Association will be front and centre and under the gaze of thousands of motoring and speed enthusiasts throughout the year.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 33

News

MTAQ JOINS THOUSANDS OF FANS AT RACQ MOTORFEST

T

HE MTA QUEENSLAND participated in one of the year’s biggest gatherings of motoring fans in June, joining hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane for the 2017 edition of the RACQ Motorfest.

More than 450 vintage, classic, electric and prestige vehicles were on show, with the event this year celebrating and focusing on the iconic Holden brand and marking the 50th anniversary of the Camaro.

MTA Queensland joined in the fun by bringing along the MTAQ Racing Team’s Hyundai Excel. The race car garnered quite a bit of interest from visitors, many of whom were motor racing fans curious to find out more about the Excel X3 racing series and, perhaps, pondering whether to have a crack on the track next year after discovering the very reasonable cost of taking part.

WATCH THE VIDEO: A STROLL AROUND MOTORFEST

34 | Motor Trader August 2017

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Representing the legal interests of Our team’s legal expertise includes: • Motor Trades licensing and regulatory compliance; Queensland’s automotive industry for more than 15 years Bennett & Philp • Business structuring and succession planning; The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 replacedLawyers the former also extends to preventing businesses are acknowledged Consumer as experts protection • Purchasing, selling or leasing commercial property; Appointed Motoras Trades Association of Act Queensland 2010, Bennett As industry specialists we are ideally positioned to assist dealers and making any statements that are incorrect or likely to mislead legislationbyknown the Trade Practices 1974.in a in broad range of commercial issues • Franchising advice; & Philp Lawyers is the MTAQ’s law firm of choice in providing MTAQ to suppliers with This operational issues such as commercial leasing, a consumer. encompasses advertisements as well as supply involving the automotive industry. the Competitionand andcommercial Consumer Act covers: • Raising finance and entering into security arrangements; itsBroadly, members with business advice and legal assistance. agreements, employment and in franchise and consumer law. We representations made byissues a person a business.

Contractual advice including compliance with consumer laws; • expertise product safety and labelling; advise car and and truck dealerships, Our has proven a vital resource for MTAQ, We its members have expert advice•available to assist with dealership and business • Intellectual property protection; with lenders to the vehicle tuning and customisation • automotive unfair market practices; the industry. acquisitions and sales, financing, negotiations companies, performance and accessory • Employment law and workplace relations; automotive industry, and business succession and restructuring issues.

• price monitoring; Take advantage of our manufacturers and automotive industry Complimentary telephone advisory service • Workplace health and safety; • industry expertise codes; and ask MTAQ If its auto industry related, we Don’t quite know where you stand on a legal issue? -suppliers.

Your MTAQ ourand team • Insurance publicfocus liabilitytheir advice;considerable knowledge a referral –today.

• industry for regulation airports, electricity, gas, telecommunications We take pride in knowing areany thelegal experts for legal advice.

Membership entitles you to fi nd out — before you pay fees. and experience to deliver specialist, value-added • Insolvency and bankruptcy advice, and and cost-effective • mergers and acquisitions.

Our initial legal advice is free and easily accessed – the for 2999 legal services to the• automotive industry. Take advantage of our Commercial litigation and debt recovery Calladvantage us on 07 3001 Members is it cannot provides immediate and direct access principals to senior lawyers Businesses mislead consumers.

Business need to As motorsport expertise today. enthusiasts, Bennett & Philp Lawyers launched its who can give right advice the right timeeach – avoiding potentialof ensure theirthe sales staff don’tatmisrepresent characteristic automotive practiceBrian on Smith the back of its appointment as MTAQ’s Lachlan Thorburn I Associate law firm I Director problems.

Simply ask MTAQthey for aare referral to Bennett & Philp Lawyers. the automotive products selling.

There can be substantial +61 7 3001 2957legal advice.

T: +61 7 3001members 2914 of choice in providing MTAQ withT: commercial

for automotive industry complimentary legal advice

Members’ Complimentary Telephone Advisory Service

fines imposed on businesses if they do. Unfair contracts, misleading

Automotive Dealers and Industry Suppliers and deceptive conduct, consumer protection and unconscionable Dealers and to know legal advisors canLaw. expertly conduct allsuppliers fall underneed the realm oftheir Australian Consumer guide them through the sale and purchase of dealerships and related For example, a business must not any misleading representations businesses throughout Australia.

It’s make also important for dealers and of past trading to induce buyer to purchase litigation the business. suppliers to knowfigures their lawyers are aexperts in pursuing for Further, the and prohibition of deceptive conduct by businesses unpaid debts other matters, and also counselling clients in extends areas to transactions such as resolution franchise disputes and joint ventures. such as alternate dispute processes.

The Australian Consumer Law imposes a general duty not to act in a way which could be unconscionable. Although this applies to some business transactions it is mainly there to protect consumers, especially with a view to promoting an equal bargaining position, in the supply of goods and services to a consumer.

The consumer protection provisions and guarantees are contained in a schedule to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

The schedule is designed to provide the consumer with as much protection as possible.

Don’t quite know where you stand on a legal issue? - Your MTAQ Membership entitles to you find out — before you pay any legal fees.

Our initial legal advice is free and easily accessed – the advantage for Members is immediate and provides direct access to one of our senior automotive law team.

Ask the MTAQ for a referral to Bennett & Philp Lawyers today, because we specialise in automotive law.

For more information contact: Phone: 07 3001 2914

Website: www.bennettphilp.com.au

Call Brian Smith, Director – Business and Commercial today on +61 7 3001 2999 for further advice on how these laws might impact on your business | www.bennettphilp.com.au

Looking after MTAQ and its members Appointed by Motor Trades Association of Queensland in 2010, Bennett & Philp Lawyers is the MTAQ’s law firm of choice in providing MTAQ to

As industry specialists we are ideally positioned to assist dealers and suppliers with operational issues such as commercial leasing, supply

RTO No. 31529

Can you afford not to be in the circle?

Advocacy

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Dun and Bradstreet is the nation’s foremost credit control and debt collection agency. Members are eligible for substantial savings on annual subscriptions.

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MTAQ membership gives you access to a range of services, including technical information, industrial relations advice, promotional material, discounted services from corporate partners and much more.

The Commonwealth Bank offers members some of the lowest EFTPOS charges in the country. Members have saved thousands with CBA.

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Services

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Capricorn makes it easier for its members buy parts, earn reward points and share in the benefits of being a member of the largest and oldest automotive parts buying cooperatives in Australasia.

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MTA Queensland actively engages with state and federal governments on automotive industry issues, ensuring members have a voice as the industry continues to evolve.

Save with our Corporate Partners

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Training

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Carmageddon events and our Innovation Hub mean that you have access to cutting-edge information and business solutions connected to the automotive digital revolution.

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OurAuto Tech-Centre is a repair information service offering technical information on more than 90 per cent of passenger vehicles on our roads.

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MTAQ members receive advice and support across a range of issues.

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36 | Motor Trader August 2017

Search for MTA Queensland

20150315

Address Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia 4113 Training +61 7 3722 3000 Fax +61 7 3844 4488 Email info@mtaq.com.au Website www.mtaq.com.au Postal PO Box 4530 Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia 4113

HAS INCREASED ITS APPRENTICES ‘IN TRAINING’ FROM 1,537 (JUNE 2016) TO 1,575 (JUNE 2017) - A 2.5 PER CENT INCREASE. ”

MEMBERS

MEMBERS ESSENTIALS ESSENTIALS Contents 37 Training GM's Professional Circle perspective 38 Professional Circle training 41 Member matters 47 Member profiles

CALLIDE VALLEY MOWER SERVICE & BILOELA SUZUKI ROSS HARRIS MECHANICAL REPAIRS

48 Industrial Relations

PAUL KULPA GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE

B

LINK AND YOU’LL miss it . . . that’s what 2017 feels like so far!

We have come to the end of the financial year and are making our way towards the end of the 2017.

However, before I get too far ahead of myself, I usually take the time to look at the number of students we’ve helped throughout the financial year.

Overall, the number of automotive apprentices (light vehicle, heavy vehicle, auto electrical, collision repair and refinishing, motorcycle, etc.) has decreased in Queensland from 5,027 (June 2016) to 4,951 (June 2017). This is an overall decrease of 1.6 per cent.

In fact, over the last 5 years, the total pool of automotive apprentices and trainees in-training throughout Australia has declined by 16.8 per cent. This is an alarming stat. However, it’s not surprising given the reduction in the number of apprentices entering the industry every year. I’ve heard the reasons for this - from the poor quality of available candidates to the problems with attraction and retention.

The MTA Institute has, and always will, endeavour to work on these issues to enable access to better quality candidates and promote the

automotive industry as a fantastic and rewarding career choice.

In fact, the MTA Institute has increased its apprentices ‘in training’ from 1,537 (June 2016) to 1,575 (June 2017) - a 2.5 per cent increase.

We have worked hard over the last 12 months to not only support the apprentices through their training, but also to work with employers to make ‘the system’ easier to navigate.

We know it’s tough enough to keep the business going without any added distractions, and our trainers and administration team have worked hard to support employers with apprentices to keep things moving along without any disturbance.

Now, whilst we cannot control the number of employers putting on apprentices - nor apprentices leaving due to unforeseen circumstance I just wanted to highlight that we give every effort to make the apprenticeship system as simple as possible for employers and as rewarding as possible for apprentices to make it work for all parties involved. We want employers not to have to make a decision about who should do their apprenticeship training, but rather know that to get the training done right, and without any hassles, all you have to do is choose MTA Institute.

As always, if you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at: training@mtai.edu.au August 2017 Motor Trader | 37

E S S E N T I A L S

“ . . . THE MTA INSTITUTE

M E M B E R S

Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S

Professional Circle training

JAMAHL TAKES A TRIP INTO THE FAST LANE WITH SUPERCARS’ TEAM VORTEX

Jamahl Byrne in the Team Vortex garage at the Townsville 400

I

T HAS BEEN a big few months . . . TO WALK INTO THAT for Jamahl Byrne, the 21-year-old GARAGE AND TO BE technician with Hansen Ford and Mareeba Toyota in Mareeba, near SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER Cairns, who won the prestigious MTA WITH CRAIG LOWNDES . . .

Queensland Apprentice of the Year IT WAS AMAZING. Award for 2016.

Part of the prize for winning the Apprentice of the Year accolade was fantastic experience. the opportunity to work with the “It was certainly eye-opening.

Triple Eight Race Engineering Team And it was surreal walking into the Vortex at the Townsville round of garage for the first time,” he said. the Supercars Championship. That “I have followed motorsport all my life. opportunity was organised by team It’s my dad’s passion too and we spent sponsor, and MTA Queensland a lot of time following V8 Supercars, corporate partner, MTAA Super, and so to walk into that garage and to on the weekend of July 7-9, at the be shoulder-to-shoulder with Craig Watpac Townsville 400, the young Lowndes . . . it was amazing. technician and motorsport fanatic “We had our meals in the catering did indeed get to work with the tent and at various times I was elite Team Vortex crew who sitting with Jamie Whincup, keep Craig Lowndes’ Holden Shane Van Gisbergen and, CLICK TO supercar primed and ready of course, Craig Lowndes.

VISIT THE to race.

HANSEN FORD It was pretty amazing to sit It was, said Jamahl, a WEBSITE there, have a conversation

“

”

38 | Motor Trader August 2017

with him and know I was talking to one of the most famous people in Australia.”

Meeting the greats of the sport was only part of what made the weekend so memorable, of course. For a young technician who loves racing, working with one of motorsport’s elite pit crews was pretty special – and pretty busy.

“It was quite hectic,” said Jamahl.

“On the first day, I was helping a lot with tyres and getting the sets ready for the weekend. They had seven standard sets of tyres, plus two wet sets, plus a set they had from the race prior. So, there were about 10 sets of tyres and we had to get those set up and ready to go. I worked quite a lot with the tyres – grabbing them whenever there was a set-up change, scraping the rubber off, measuring the depth to make sure they were still usable and so on. I was also tasked with inserting the fan into the front bumper during stops and set-up

M E M B E R S E S S E N T I A L S

Working with the team that keeps Craig Lowndes' Holden on the track was, said Jamahl, a phenomnal experience

changes and, of course, completing a lot of apprentice-type duties such as cleaning the car and the workshop.”

While being a tradesman and working in the industry is, obviously, excellent preparation for a move into motorsport, there is a level of intensity within the sport that you just won’t find in a normal workshop. For instance, while being quick and efficient at your job is always important, in a motorsport setting that expectation is taken to a whole new level.

“The prior work I have done does line up a fair bit, of course,” said Jamahl.

“However, a Supercar is designed to come apart and go back together again very quickly, so although the principles may be the same, the speed at which things are done, and have to be done thanks to time constraints, is very different. That is why everything is so organised, efficient and ready to go for when the car comes back into the garage. For example, to change a set of rear shock absorbers, the team were given just two minutes! Everyone is under the pump when it comes to changes and stops.”

Jamahl has been a motorsport fan since he was a kid, and working at the top of the sport has been a dream for a long time. The Townsville Supercar

your foot in the door and that is what this weekend allowed me to do.

REGIONAL AND RURAL “Most people in regional and rural towns don’t really get the opportunity TOWNS DON’T REALLY to do this sort of thing so it was special GET THE OPPORTUNITY and a great learning experience. I can’t TO DO THIS SORT OF thank MTA Queensland and MTAA THING SO IT WAS SPECIAL Super enough for giving me this opportunity.”

AND A GREAT LEARNING For the moment, Jamahl is back EXPERIENCE. to work with Hansen Ford and Mareeba Toyota and is as focused as ever on achieving his goals there. event allowed him not only to get a However, there will always be the aim taste of what working in the ‘fast lane’ of one day working once again in elite is all about, but gave him the chance motorsport. to learn from the best and know that “I’ll work at continually improving,” achieving that career goal is not just he said. “I’m not quite at the top as wishful thinking. a Ford and Toyota technician yet “The team were very and I will work hard to become as accommodating,” he said. “A lot highly qualified as I can for those of them worked in dealerships at manufacturers. After that, I do some point in their career so they plan to move into other aspects of understood what was going through automotive, perhaps auto electrical. my head and how the transition into “One day there may be the option motorsport works. They really were to move into motorsport. That will great in helping me, in talking to me always be the dream and working with and showing me what to do, and I did Triple Eight at Townsville can speak to one of the crew who only be a positive on my CV!” gave me a few pointers on how MTA Queensland looks to get into the sport. One of CLICK TO VISIT forward to seeing where THE MAREEBA the most crucial things is TOYOTA Jamahl’s career will take actually being able to get WEBSITE him.

“MOST PEOPLE IN

”

August 2017 Motor Trader | 39

Right training.

Right place.

Right way.

RTO No: 31529

MTA INSTITUTE

COURSES 3 DAY AIR CONDITIONING COURSE 9 – 11 August 2017 4 – 6 October 2017 8.30am-4.30pm Click for more information.

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23 – 24 September 2017 9:00am – 4:00pm (two day weekend course) Click for more information.

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5 September 2017 6pm – 9pm Click for more information.

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23, 24, 25, 26 & 27 October 2017 9am - 4pm (five day course) Click for more information.

19 September 2017 6 - 9pm Click for more information.

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Search for MTA Queensland

Free guest Wifi at MTA Institute

20170554

Address Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au

Craig Lowndes and Adam Silver

M

TA QUEENSLAND MEMBERS, and apprentices of MTA Institute, were treated to a close encounter with motorsport legend Craig Lowndes in the run-up to last month’s Watpac Townsville 400. On the Wednesday evening before the weekend’s race meeting, in an event organised by Lowndes’ Team Vortex sponsor MTAA Super, the supercar great met with anything and was really approachable. around 20 apprentices, managers and “It really was very interesting, employers from the Townsville area especially from an apprentice’s point to talk about his career, his life as a of view. He talked about things that supercar driver, the future of the sport they don’t necessarily see or think and a host of other subjects. about during their training and shared In attendance on the evening was a lot of knowledge. For instance, he Adam Silver, Service Manager at mentioned that supercars leave a lot Townsville’s Tony Ireland Holden of rubber on the track – which dealership. Accompanied is something the team must by one of his first-year consider when subsequently CLICK TO VISIT apprentices, Adam said TONY IRELAND adjusting and setting up the HOLDEN'S Lowndes’ presentation was car. My first-year apprentice WEBSITE very inspirational. didn’t realise something like “He talked about his past, that – an issue that seems so present and potential future; small - can be so significant, outlined what engineers do and and by the end of the evening he what the future of the sport might be; had a lot of questions!” and really delved into how the cars are While Lowndes presented to, and set up for races and their mechanical fielded questions from, the group and aerodynamic fundamentals,” throughout the evening, he would said Adam. “He didn’t shy away from later mingle with guests, taking the

time to catch up with and chat about a range of subjects with individual attendees.

“He had more than enough time for everybody,” said Adam. “For example, once he discovered who I was and where I worked he spent quite a bit of time with me talking about the town, the local auto industry, our business and so on. He was really interested in Townsville, its economy and the industry here, and that was terrific.”

A motorsport fan – and a participant in the sport to boot Adam said that meeting, listening to and chatting to Lowndes had been an opportunity not to be missed.

“I’m actually a Japanese import fan and have owned and built a couple of Skylines for track work,” he said. “But I am also a fan of Holden and Lowndes. He has been around for as long as I’ve been watching the sport and, for me, the heart and soul of Supercars is Holden. So, to be able to attend this event was great. You’d be daft not to take these opportunities when they come along and I made sure that, irrespective of what was going on, we had time set aside for this. And it was well worth it.”

August 2017 Motor Trader | 41

E S S E N T I A L S

MTAQ MEMBERS IN POLE POSITION FOR EVENING WITH SUPERCAR LEGEND

M E M B E R S

Member matters

2017 MTA Queensland presents the

PRESIDENT’S BALL A D V A N C I N G

I N D U S T R Y

The signature event for Queensland’s Automotive Industry Hosted by the extraordinarily entertaining Shane Jacobson and featuring special guest speaker Craig Lowndes OAM of Team Vortex, the evening includes a three-course dinner and beverages, live band, auctions and pre-dinner drinks – all included in the ticket price.

A highlight on the night is the announcement of the winners for various prestigious Awards.

Date: Saturday 28 October 2017 Time: 6:00pm to 11:00pm Dress: Black-tie / Formal Venue: Hilton Brisbane RSVP: COB Friday 13 October 2017 Tickets: online at www.stickytickets.com.au Contact Us: info@mtaq.com.au

.H.D. CLASSIC SUPPLIES & Services - a motorcycle services, parts and accessories business based in Townsville - has won the top prize in the Small Employer of the Year category for the North Queensland region at the Queensland Training Awards (QTA). The award was presented to R.H.D. owner Sharine Milne by Yvette D’Ath, Queensland’s Minister for Training and Skills, at a special event held at the Mercure resort in Townsville on 14 July.

It could be argued that the accolade has been a long time coming - this year is the fifth in succession that R.H.D has been a finalist in the category. Not surprisingly, Sharine was delighted when her business was announced as the winner.

“After five years of being a finalist, I definitely had a cheesy grin on my face when the award was announced,” she said with a laugh. “But you probably can’t print exactly what I said when our name was called out!”

The Small Employer of the Year accolade is well-deserved recognition for the R.H.D team. Since Sharine took over the business five years ago, she has put a tremendous focus on training and working with the community. That focus includes offering training to school-based apprentices and pre-vocational students; work experience to those looking to get into the industry; fundraising for, and sponsorship of, local groups; and assistance to sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and injured or ill ex-military service personnel.

After being a finalist for the preceding four years, Sharine isn’t sure exactly why this year they would be successful.

“To be honest, I don’t really know.

Sharine Milne (right) with Queensland Minister for Traing and Skills Yvette D'Ath and MTA Queensland's

“WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF THE QTA REGIONAL AWARD AND WE HAVE IT SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO OUR MTA QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY AWARD IN A PRIME POSITION IN OUR WORKSHOP.” Maybe I just answered their questions better this year!” she said. “As the business grows, that does give us the opportunity to do a bit more each year.

However, whatever that extra thing is, we will always offer the other programs we have established over the years.”

As a former finalist in TAFE’s Pre-Vocational Student of the Year competition, as well as being the national Ulysses Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year winner in 2004, Sharine’s attention on training and the community comes as no surprise - it was the reason that R.H.D was recognised with the 2016 MTA

Andrew O'Hearn

Queensland Community Award.

While there is great pride in winning that and the regional award, there is now the little matter of the QTA state-wide award – an award for which R.H.D. automatically became a finalist following their regional victory – the winner of which will be announced at a gala dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre in September.

“We are very proud to be the recipient of the QTA regional award and we have it sitting right next to our MTA Queensland Community Award in a prime position in our workshop,” said Sharine. “As for the QTA state-wide award, I wouldn’t say I was ‘confident’ about winning exactly. I know what our little shop does but anybody who is a regional finalist or state finalist is a winner.

“I certainly already feel like a winner - though I would, of course, love to win the state award too! That would be fantastic. However, win or lose, that won’t change the fact that training and upgrading our own skills is what we are all about.”

August 2017 Motor Trader | 43

E S S E N T I A L S

MTAQ MEMBER WINS QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARD R

M E M B E R S

Members matters

MTAQ are a Charity Partner of Youngcare and our staff show support by wearing casual clothes on Friday and donating gold coins.

Please join us and donate to this life-changing organisation!

CLICK TO VISIT THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING WEBSITE

By Brian Bauer, Executive Director, Office of Fair Trading

T

HE OFFICE OF Fair Trading (OFT) is reminding motor dealers to check their current and prospective employees are appropriately licensed or registered.

Motor dealer principals are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately licensed, and remain appropriately licensed at all times, to perform the duties they were employed to carry out.

It is good practice to regularly check existing staff members’ credentials against the licensing register on the OFT website, to ensure all staff still hold the required licence or salesperson certificate.

OFT has recently taken action against a number of principal licensees and unlicensed persons in other regulated industries.

In some of these instances, employees had faked or doctored their credentials to deceive their employer.

A PERSON EMPLOYING AN UNLICENSED MOTOR DEALER OR UNREGISTERED SALESPERSON, EVEN UNKNOWINGLY, IS BREACHING THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE MOTOR DEALERS AND CHATTEL AUCTIONEERS ACT 2014 AND MAY BE FINED UP TO $25,230.

Independently verifying an employee or prospective employee’s licensed status is therefore an important step for motor dealers to take to protect themselves.

A person employing an unlicensed motor dealer or unregistered salesperson, even unknowingly, is breaching their legal obligations under the Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act 2014 and may be fined up to $25,230.

Unlicensed or unregistered salespeople put the integrity of the motor dealer industry at risk and encroach on the business of legitimate dealers, especially if they are not appropriately trained, or have been deemed not a suitable person to hold a licence.

To complete an online check, go to the OFT website at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading.

Members of the motor dealer industry are also encouraged to ‘dob in a backyarder’ to the OFT by contacting 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or by making a formal complaint at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading November 2016 Motor Trader | 45

E S S E N T I A L S

IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE LICENCE CHECKS

M E M B E R S

From the Office of Fair Trading

LOOKING FOR WORK? Check out MTA Queensland’s Job Board for all the latest opportunities in the automotive industry.

Visit www.mtaq.com.au today

The positive feedback from our customers.

What is the best thing about working in your industry?

Access to products and customer interaction.

What is the best piece of business advice you have ever given or been given?

Callide Valley Mower Service & Biloela Suzuki Location: Biloela Type of business: Sales & service of mowers, motorcycles and power equipment Number of employees: 3 Trading since: July 2016 under current ownership (Business established nearly 40 years ago) MTAQ member since: 2016

How did you hear about the Motor Trades Association of Queensland? (MTAQ)

Listen to everything and apply what is relevant.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining MTAQ? Why wouldn’t you?

Through the acquisition process of the business.

How has being an MTAQ member benefited your business?

Discounted merchant fees through Commonwealth Bank.

A great deal. Through servicing and technical information, industrial relations advice and much more.

What has been your proudest business achievement to date?

Building our new workshop.

What is the best thing about working in your industry?

The people! Our staff and our customers.

What is the best piece of business advice you have ever given or been given?

Look after your staff and they’ll look after your customers.

Ross Harris Mechanical Repairs Location: Tully, FNQ Type of business: Mechanical repairer Number of employees: 5 Trading since: 1974 MTAQ member since: 1996

How did you hear about the Motor Trades Association of Queensland? (MTAQ)

What would you say to someone thinking about joining MTAQ? Do it, definitely. It is invaluable in many areas.

From other businesses in the industry.

How has being an MTAQ member benefited your business?

November 2016 Motor Trader | 47

E S S E N T I A L S

What has been your proudest business achievement to date?

M E M B E R S

Member profiles

GENERAL PROTECTIONS

M E M B E R S

E S S E N T I A L S

Industrial relations

PAUL MURRAY INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS OFFICER

Dismissal on Medical Grounds DISMISSING AN EMPLOYEE who has been absent with a long-term illness can be a difficult process.

Small businesses in particular can find it difficult to manage without an employee for a protracted period. However, it is important to be aware of the steps that must be followed. The two main risks for an employer are general protections claims under the Fair Work Act, and claims under State or Federal Anti-Discrimination legislation.

The Fair Work Act prohibits a dismissal for what it calls “temporary absence from work” due to an illness or injury. To count as a temporary absence the employee must provide a medical certificate or other suitable evidence; the absence can’t have gone longer than three months in any twelve; and they can’t have been on paid leave (or WorkCover) for the period of absence. Employees on WorkCover can’t be dismissed because of their injury in the first twelve months of their absence.

“AS WITH ALL

DISMISSALS, THERE MUST BE A VALID REASON, AND THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE GIVEN DUE PROCESS.”

However, even when an absence doesn’t meet the definition of a “temporary absence”, a dismissal could still be a breach of the general protections provisions. The Federal Circuit Court recently ruled that dismissing an employee after a ten month absence was a breach of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act and therefore also of the Fair Work general protections provisions.

DISCRIMINATION As with all dismissals, there must be a valid reason, and the employee must be given due process. Illness or incapacity of itself isn’t enough to be a valid reason. The employee must be incapable of performing the genuine occupational requirements of their role without special arrangements that would impose an unjustifiable hardship on the employer. Due process requires the employer to act on solid, up-to-date medical evidence, and to give the employee an opportunity to respond.

Members who find themselves facing these issues should CLICK FOR contact the IR MORE ON INDUSTRIAL Department of RELATIONS the MTAQ for assistance.

MTA QUEENSLAND WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS Business Name

Principal/s

Address

Email

Division

Blue Ribbon Motors BP Workshop Wellington Point Caltex Redcliffe Coastline BMW Diesel Spec Mechanical Repairs Fraser Coast Motor Centre Frenchy's Mechanical Repairs The Garage Miami Lockyer Valley Ford and Mitsubishi Mazcare Nationwide Auto Wholesale Norship Engineering Northside Autocar Precise Automotive Services Prestige and Performance SEVEN82MOTORS Ultra Tune Moorooka

Leisa Stallard Neil Topatigh Clayton Tronc Neil Harper Justin Voigt Andrew Holman Glen Frencham Nathan Brookes Ian Gregory O'Brien Kevin Potts John Kirby John Taifalos Paul HuckelUnit Michael Love Michael Weber Ben Atkinson Jeremy Peterson

393-401 Warwick Road, YAMANTO Q 4305 402-406 Main Road, WELLINGTON POINT Q 4160 Cnr Anzac Avenue and Victoria Avenue, REDCLIFFE Q 4020 770 Nicklin Way, CURRIMUNDI Q 4551 59 Andrew Street, ROCKLEA Q 4106 37 Torquay Road, HERVEY BAY Q 4655 59 Andrew St, ROCKLEA Q 4106 18 Pacific Avenue, MIAMI Q 4220 67 Crescent Street, GATTON Q 4343 2/15 Dollis St, ROCKLEA Q 4106 960 Lytton Rd, MURARRIE Q 4172 11 Liberty Street, PORTSMITH Q 4870 2, 45 Queens Road, EVERTON HILLS Q 4053 21 Ferrier Road, NARANGBA Q 4504 25 Morley Street, COORPAROO Q 4151 3/132 S hpencer Road, NERANG Q 4211 123 Muriel Avenue, MOOROOKA Q 4105

leisa@blueribbonmotors.com.au office@bpworkshopwp.com.au clayton@claydeb.com.au neil.harper@coastlinebmw.com.au dieselspecmechanical@gmail.com andrewh@fcmc.com.au glenfrencham@bigpond.com nathan@the-garage.com.au iano@lockyervalleytoyota.com.au kevin@mazcare.com.au admin@nationwideautos.com.au john.taifalos@norship.com.au northsideautocar@hotmail.com Preciseauto2@outlook.com mike@prestigeandperformance.com.au ben@seven82motors.com.au moorooka@ultratune.com.au

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48 | Motor Trader August 2017

Industry insight

11 WAYS BUSINESS OWNERS COULD GET BETTER FINANCIAL ADVICE T HE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION has traditionally focused attention on the tax and compliance side of business. Some accountants are offering day to day financial management advice, but they are few and far between. Most practising accountants have never worked in a commercial situation i.e. been responsible for the profitability and cash flow management for a business (apart from their own), so how well does that equip them to give advice (in ‘plain English’) to SMEs? What SMEs need is someone who can really roll their sleeves up and get into the nitty gritty with them. When I say nitty gritty I mean: 1. Working out the true cost of a product/service, so the business owner knows what price to charge to ensure a profit, how much room for manoeuvre on discounting and competitive pricing.

2. Understanding all the overheads of a business and including them in a budget, so they can be monitored monthly to ensure they don’t get out of hand and eat up all the profits.

3. Working out the best finance options for a business. Every business is different and therefore has different finance needs. Some have equipment that can be leased or hired, some have high profit margins and therefore can absorb high finance costs, whereas some have low margins and need to be very careful that finance costs don’t eat up all their profit.

4. Driving management of the internal factors affecting cash flow management e.g. Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payables, Stock/WIP, Taxes, Loans etc.

5. Setting KPIs (both leading and

“WHAT SMEs NEED IS

SOMEONE WHO CAN REALLY ROLL THEIR SLEEVES UP AND GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY WITH THEM.” lagging) to ensure targets are met.

For example, if a business owner knows their sales conversion rate is say 50%, they need to ensure they are generating twice the number of sales leads to achieve their sales target.

6. Ensuring SME owners can read and understand the financial reports and what story they are telling about the performance of their business. For example, looking at just dollar results is not as useful as looking at reports containing percentages.

Percentages make it easier to see how things are going relative to the sales figure, which may be

going up and down each month.

7. Helping SMEs to analyse feasibility of new ideas. What may sound like a fantastic opportunity, may not create much extra profit on the bottom line if not structured and priced right.

8. Helping SMEs to systemise their business, so they can occasionally take leave from it and create more business value by making it more easily transferrable to new owners.

9. Helping SME owners to pay themselves properly and structuring pay/dividends, so they are sustainable for the business and tax effective.

10. Acting as a ‘sounding board’ and trusted advisor to listen and answer any questions a business owner has about the financial impact of decisions.

11. Providing all of the above in a cost-effective way and ensuring a high ‘value proposition’ to SMEs so the benefit they gain far outweighs the cost of the service provided.

To learn more, visit www.CFOonCall.com.au November 2016 Motor Trader | 49

Concept corner BMW Concept 8

WORTH THE W8 R EVEALED IN MAY at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, this is the BMW Concept 8 Series – a concept that is, BMW says, a taster of the forthcoming 8 Series Coupe which is slated for launch in 2018.

The word is that the production car may well look a lot like this sleek and elegant machine, and if that is the case we’re in for a real treat.

There are certainly the familiar BMW design cues (there’s more than a whiff of the i8 hybrid supercar here) but the concept’s wide stance, large side air intakes in the front apron, and low, highly-sculpted tail with stretchout rear lights give it a striking and powerful appearance.

Inside is, as you might expect, pretty special, with top quality materials - including carbon fibre 50 | Motor Trader August 2017

and hand-polished aluminium – complementing the high-tech control interface and screens that are a feature of a modern car. And while the interior may look a little sparse compared to some of the jam-packed, aeroplanelike consoles of some recent vehicles, we’ll bet the Concept 8 isn’t missing any of the whiz-bang gadgetry that deep-pocketed customers will expect.

An M8 production model is also

planned and a heavily-camouflaged version of that model has already popped up at the Nürburgring in Germany to churn through a couple of laps. Development is also underway on a race-car spec version – the BMW M8 GTE. The 8 Series should be another brilliant piece of kit from BMW and the company certainly seems pretty confident in it.

“The BMW Concept 8 Series is our take on a full-blooded high-end driving machine,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “It is a luxurious sports car which embodies both unadulterated dynamics and modern luxury like arguably no other. For me, it’s a slice of pure automotive fascination.”

Can’t wait to see them on the road.

August 2017 Motor Trader | 51

Investment matters

MARKET WRAP

G

LOBAL EQUITY MARKETS hit all-time highs in June, although they did give back some gains towards the end of the month. This was in response to a sell-off in bonds, with several central banks indicating the possibility of decreased stimulus measures. The big political news for the month was the election result in the UK, which saw the ruling Conservative Party lose its majority.

The domestic market provided a small return for the month with the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index up 0.17%. The best performing sector for June was Health Care and the worst performer Energy. Banks continued to be under scrutiny, with South Australia announcing it would introduce its own state-based bank levy on the five major banks (including Macquarie), just six weeks after the Federal government announced a bank levy that aims to raise $6.2 billion.

Overall the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index finished the 2017 financial year up strongly at 14.09%. The major drivers of the market were a rebound from a Brexit selloff late last year before improving economic data, and Trump policies that drove expectations in a pick up of inflation. This resulted in a strong rotation in market leadership from growth stocks to value stocks. The market then consolidated across the first half of 2017, before softening as the domestic economy showed some signs of weakness for the consumer, and the Federal bank levy impacted the bank sector.

The domestic economy remains mixed. The consumer, and consumerexposed companies, had a difficult two months in March and April, most likely because of the poor weather, multiple 52 | Motor Trader August 2017

THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK APPEARS REASONABLY ROBUST. VALUATIONS ARE FAIR AND, AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE OUTLOOK FOR THE MARKET APPEARS REASONABLE. public holidays and higher electricity and mortgage costs. Consumer confidence remains soft and household debt is high. In addition, we expect housing prices to at least moderate, which creates some risks for the domestic economy. However, business confidence is strong, we are seeing a pick up in mining activity, travel remains strong, export sectors like agriculture and tourism are performing well, and infrastructure projects are accelerating.

The political environment remains a long-term concern. The last 10 years have seen slow economic growth resulting in underemployment for the young but educated, while low

interest rates have driven up housing prices, locking them out of asset markets. This is creating a ripe economic environment for populists and we are seeing surprising political outcomes as a result—Brexit, Trump, Corbyn, Sanders. Many of the economic policy solutions of populists are inflationary (infrastructure spending, tax cuts) and others are anti-globalisation (anti-trade).

This creates risks for long-term growth rates.

The economic outlook appears reasonably robust. Valuations are fair and, as a consequence, the outlook for the market appears reasonable.

A range of uncertainties overhangs the markets, particularly the political environment. The overwhelming issue though is the effect that the improving economic environment will have on inflation in the next year.

Low interest rates have been a critical driver of markets, and a major shift in this regard could cause some destabilisation and a rotation in leading companies in the market.

DISCLAIMER This document has been prepared by DNR Capital Pty Ltd, AFS Representative - 294844 of DNR AFSL Pty Ltd ABN 39 118 946 400, AFSL 301658. It is general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation to invest in any product or financial service mentioned above. Whilst DNR Capital has used its best endeavours to ensure the information within this document is accurate it cannot be relied upon in any way and recipients must make their own enquiries concerning the accuracy of the information within. The general information in this document has been prepared without reference to any recipients objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial investment decisions we recommend recipients obtain legal and taxation advice appropriate to their particular needs.

Investment in a DNR Capital managed account can only be made on completion of all the required documentation.

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2017 Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards

Medium Fund of the year

The Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards are determined using proprietary methodologies. Awards were issued March 9, 2017 and are solely statements of opinion and do not represent recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or make any other investment decisions. Ratings are subject to change. This document is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd and Members Equity Bank Limited. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.