Motor Trader e-magazine, November 2021

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+ MTA | Q&A: MYERS ENGINE RECONDITIONING + AURA EV SPORTS CAR CONCEPT INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND? CLICK HERE

+ ASTON MARTIN DB5

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOTOR TRADES ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND

M TA Q U E E N S LAN D DI V I SIO NA L CO M MIT T EE M EET IN GS

MTA QUEENSLAND hosts quarterly Divisional Committee meetings for:

USTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE DEALER ASSOCIATION › A(NEW CAR DEALERS) UTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS DIVISION › A(MECHANICAL REPAIRERS) UTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLERS DIVISION › A(PARTS RECYCLERS) UTOMOTIVE REMARKETING DIVISION › A(USED CAR DEALERS) NGINE RECONDITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND › E(ENGINE RECONDITIONERS) ATIONAL AUTO COLLISION ALLIANCE › N(PAINT & PANEL / TOW TRUCKS) UEENSLAND FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY DEALERS DIVISION › Q(FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY) UEENSLAND MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY DIVISION › Q(MOTORCYCLES) ENTAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY DIVISION › R(RENTAL VEHICLES) ERVICE STATION & CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND › S(SERVICE STATIONS) YRE & UNDERCAR DIVISION OF QUEENSLAND › T(TYRES, BRAKES, SUSPENSIONS) The Agenda topics include:

› robust discussions around the priorities of the Division, › issues that need to be directly presented to government and submissions, › skilling needs, › membership representation, › technical and educational updates, and › innovation opportunities.

The Committee meetings can be attended in-person at MTA Queensland or online.

The meetings are open to members and non-members, but we strongly encourage membership to ensure all member benefits are available.

CLICK HERE FOR MEETING DATES

20200885

CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY

From the Editor Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland

Industry award categories.

In this month’s edition, our focus shifts to the Apprentice of the Year award finalists.

A group of highly talented young people, some of whom have now qualified in their chosen trade, each JONATHAN NASH of the finalists proved to be EDITOR outstanding students. And ELLO AND WELCOME with more than 2000 students to the November 2021 being trained by the MTA edition of Motor Trader. Institute, to be an Apprentice On Saturday, 20 November, of the Year finalist is quite an at the Emporium Hotel in achievement. Flick through to Brisbane, MTA Queensland page 12 to read more. will be holding its 2021 Winning the Apprentice of the Year award can Industry Awards Gala.

Celebrating the achievements be the launchpad for a of the industry and Association very interesting career.

Elliott Lemmon, who was members over the past presented with the award in 12 months - and what a 2017, certainly grasped the challenging year it has been opportunities that followed his - the Gala is also the event at win, and Motor Trader caught which the winners of MTA up with the 23-year-old, now Queensland’s business and training awards are announced. based in Canada, to find out more. You can read his story Last month we focused on the individuals and businesses from page 28.

Cheers that are finalists in the Jonathan Nash, Editor Community award, Innovation jonathann@mtaq.com.au award, and the Women In

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 EDITOR Jonathan Nash

H

ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Evangeline Kannis Ian Naylor POLICY Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Email: jonathann@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 Subscribing to the Motor Trader e-magazine is free.

Click here to subscribe 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.

MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848 CORPORATE PARTNERS

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November 2021 Motor Trader | 1

Contents

12

2021 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

04 FROM THE DESK OF MANAGEMENT 06 MTA|Q&A: MYERS ENGINE RECONDITIONING 12 2021 MTA QUEENSLAND APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD: THE FINALISTS 28 THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: AN APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR’S STORY 34 AUTO INNOVATION NEWS 52 CLASSIC CAR: ASTON MARTIN DB5 58 AUTO NEWS 76 WORKPLACE RELATIONS 79 MTA INSTITUTE NEWS 80 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: OCTOBER 2021 82 MTA INSTITUTE GRADUATE LIST 86 CONCEPT CORNER 2 | Motor Trader November 2021

62

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

Search for MTA Queensland

52

CLASSIC CAR: ASTON MARTIN DB5

AN APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR’S STORY

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28

MTA | Q&A: MYERS ENGINE RECONDITIONING

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AURA TWO-SEAT EV SPORTS CAR CONCEPT

November 2021 Motor Trader | 3

From the Desk of Management

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ANY OF YOU will be aware of the Education, Employment and Training Committee’s Inquiry into the operation of the ROD CAMM Trading (Allowable CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Hours) Act 1990 MTA QUEENSLAND (the inquiry) that is underway. Specific to the automotive industry is the notion of allowing 7-day trading.

Deputy CEO Kellie Dewar and I were invited to give evidence on behalf of the automotive industry. As an Association, we are firmly opposed to 7-day trading. While other industries may benefit, the nature of purchasing a vehicle allows research and reviewing to be performed online, diminishing the need for 7-day trading.

Instead, such a move would only serve to exponentially increase costs imposed on dealers, without simultaneously increasing sales or employment opportunities. It would also force many dealers into opening or risk being left behind by competitors, making any decision by no means optional.

We will continue to advocate on this position.

In other news, I was recently appointed to the Queensland Ministerial Fuels Council, tasked with representing the interests of the automotive industry in the development of Queensland’s energy plan for 2030 and beyond. This role I believe is incredibly important for ensuring the betterment of the automotive industry as we transition to a renewable future.

I invite all members to have their say on the direction of the industry by completing a short online survey.

4 | Motor Trader November 2021

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T THE TIME of writing this column, myself and CEO Rod Camm have just returned from Central Queensland where we hosted a KELLIE DEWAR series of incredibly DEPUTY CEO | GENERAL productive meetings MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES with members and the broader automotive industry.

It is always exciting connecting faceto-face with members and take part in discussions that help shape our advocacy and member services agendas. Thank you to all who came along! I would also like to thank the Office of Fair Trading and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, who hosted sessions giving some great insight into a range of regulatory issues.

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training are hosting a series of excellent live webinars every day during November on topics relevant to small business recovery. I encourage all business owners to take advantage of this series, which includes the following: • Tender basics for small business • Getting clear vision and values • Prepare ahead for disaster • Build a rock star business strategy • Attracting, recruiting and retaining employees • Continuity planning and management • Creating a risk matrix Finally, members will have received notification of the upcoming AGM on Friday, 19th November. The meeting will be hosted online via Teams, and I encourage all members to confirm their attendance by contacting info@mtaq.com.au.

Business support every step of the way.

Whether you’re starting, running or growing your business, CommBank, proud Alliance Partner of MTAQ can help you do business your way.

Dedicated support for your business To help you take your business to the next level, MTAQ members can benefit from direct access to a dedicated CommBank Relationship Manager and team of banking specialists. They’ll work with you through every stage of your business life cycle. You’ll also receive 24/7 Australian based phone support for all your business banking needs.

Business products and solutions MTAQ members may be eligible to access the latest innovative business banking products and solutions with preferential pricing applied, making it easier for you to do business.

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To find out how CommBank can help you do business your way, contact MTAQ on (07) 3237 8777 or email info@mtaq.com.au and they’ll put you in touch with a CommBank Relationship Manager.

Things you should know: ^‘Same day’ includes eCommerce card sales before 5:30pm (AEST) and EFTPOS card sales before 10pm (AEST) and is available for eligible customers with a Commonwealth Bank business transaction account and a linked Commonwealth Bank merchant facility. Offers available to referrals made via MTAQ. MTAQ may receive a referral fee from Commonwealth Bank for each successful referral (excludes existing customers). Applications for finance are subject to the Bank’s normal credit approval and suitability of the asset. Other fees, charges, terms and conditions may apply. As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. Please view our Merchant Agreement, Financial Services Guide and Operator and User Guides at commbank.com.au/ merchantsupport. To find out more about Daily IQ, visit commbank.com.au/DailyIQ. Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945.

Josh Myers

MTA |Q&A

In 1968, Roy Myers had a small shed in a paddock in Scott Street in Cairns. Today the Myers family has grown the shed and the Myers Engine Reconditioning business to become a strong player in the Cairns automotive industry. We recently took time out to chat with Roy’s grandson Josh Myers who now runs Myers Engine Reconditioning.

WORDS AND PICTURES: LARA WILDE 6 | Motor Trader November 2021

Jayden Myers

What products and services does Myers Engine Reconditioning provide?

JM: At Myers Engine Reconditioning we

have been perfecting our craft for three generations, providing engine component machining and related parts. We have customers with large freight ships and charter boats, high-performance motorsport vehicles, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles such as trucks and heavy earthmoving machinery. If it has an engine, we can machine it, balance it and provide the parts you need for it.

When was Myers Engine Reconditioning established?

JM: In 1968, this suburb was paddocks.

Today it is the heart of the industrial

“AT MYERS ENGINE RECONDITIONING WE HAVE BEEN PERFECTING OUR CRAFT FOR THREE GENERATIONS, PROVIDING ENGINE COMPONENT MACHINING AND RELATED PARTS.” area of Cairns. My grandfather, Roy Myers, started the business and then passed it to my dad Stephen and my Uncle Rodney.

I took over the business in 2006 when I bought out my uncle.

What is your background in the industry?

JM: I grew up in this workshop, completing

my trade here and learning the ropes not November 2021 Motor Trader | 7

only of engine reconditioning but also learning how to manage the business.

When I was young, I left school and started work at the shop although I took the opportunity to travel before settling into the full-time role. I spent a year in Canada and explored different parts of the world before coming home to take over the family business.

Are you still hands on in the business today?

JM: Very hands on. I am in the workshop

five days per week. I focus more on customer service and office management these days, but I still get on the tools every so often.

Who is in your current team at Myers Engine Reconditioning?

JM: My dad Stephen still comes in when

we need him although he is supposed to be retired. My brother Jayden works out the back of house dismantling, cleaning, machining and preparing components for reconditioning. Col manages the office for me. We have Nick, Brad, and Mick on the tools. Currently we don’t have any apprentices on staff although we have put a few through their trade in recent years.

Stephen Myers

8 | Motor Trader November 2021

“WHEN WE COMBINE PRECISION MACHINES SUCH AS OUR NEW BALANCER WITH GIFTED TRADESMEN WHO PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK WE HAVE A WINNING COMBINATION FOR OUR CUSTOMER.” Are you involved in local motorsport?

JM: A lot of our customers compete very

seriously in local drag racing, burnouts, and speedway competitions. Because we form such close friendships with our customers, we struggle to selectively sponsor one individual over another. It is a little like picking a favourite child We refrain from sponsoring individuals with cash or inkind, instead preferring to support them with quality work on their vehicles.

As a team we are very proud when we see our customers’ cars competing interstate and when they are pitted against each other. For example, we have been very involved with the building of cars for the new Far North Queensland Sprint Car

What do you see as the greatest advancement in technology for your business?

JM: The increase in

series and we love watching our customers go head-to-head on the track.

What are your plans for the next few years?

JM: When you are a third-generation

family business there is a danger that you will get stuck in a rut. My focus for the next few years is to stay relevant to the market and, where possible, modernise. We want to make sure that we are skilled up and tooled up to provide the level of service that our customer needs.

machines that can replace work that used to have to be done by hand. Machines provide consistency to the finished product. When we combine precision machines, such as our new balancer, with gifted tradesmen who pay attention to detail and take pride in their work we have a winning combination for our customer.

Do you consider that the advancements in electric cars will have an impact on your business?

JM: When unleaded fuel came in and leaded petrol was phased out, we were told that it would shut us down. It didn’t.

Even if most cars are electric, we will still have a market with restorers and motoring enthusiasts for a long time to come.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 9

The team at Myers Engine Reconditioning

How long has Myers Engine Reconditioning been a member of MTA Queensland?

JM: Grandad Roy signed us up a long time

ago. Our member number is 43 so we were one of the earliest members.

What has been the greatest benefit of your MTA Queensland membership?

JM: I really enjoy the online training videos.

They are easy to use and I can do them anytime that suits me. I also appreciate the great network of other members. I have peace of mind knowing I can turn to MTA Queensland at any time for technical advice, advice to manage my staff and the latest news in the industry.

Has Covid impacted your business?

JM: On the one hand it has had an impact

with tourist businesses in the region going quiet so there is less business from charter boats and tourist buses. On the other hand, we have seen an increase in restorers who are taking the downtime to work on projects in the shed at home.

What do you do with your spare time?

JM: I am a fan of all the typical Far North 10 | Motor Trader November 2021

“I HAVE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING I CAN TURN TO MTA QUEENSLAND AT ANY TIME FOR TECHNICAL ADVICE, ADVICE TO MANAGE MY STAFF AND THE LATEST NEWS IN THE INDUSTRY.” Queensland pastimes. Fishing, dirt bike riding, camping. We live in nature’s playground. and I love getting out of the shed on the weekends with my kids, living the good life in paradise.

What advice would you give to a young Josh starting out in the industry?

JM: Work hard and be good to people.

If you rip someone off, they won’t come back but if you are good to your customers they will keep coming back. It is much cheaper to keep a happy customer than to go and find a new customer. We don’t have a social media presence and our marketing budget is zero. We base all our marketing on word of mouth from happy customers.

Raymond, Spirit Super member

It all starts with spirit With low fees and a history of strong returns, we back hard-working Aussies. spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913).

Read the PDS and TMD at spiritsuper.com.au/pds before making a decision. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of investments can rise or fall, and investment returns can be positive or negative.

October 2021 Motor Trader | 11

2021 MTA Q AP PR E NTI C E AWA RD F

2020 MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year finalists: Evelyn Hay John Bancroft-Arnott, Stephanie Williams, Gabrielle Clift, Ethan Re

O

N THE 20TH November, MTA Queensland will be hosting its Industry Gala at the Emporium Hotel, Southbank in Brisbane.

This year will mark the event’s return following its COVID-related cancellation in 2020, and it will be, once again, an evening which brings together all sectors of the automotive industry to celebrate the achievements of MTA Queensland members, MTA Institute apprentices, and the industry as a whole.

The evening will be hosted by Ben Davis from Channel Seven, who will be joined by special guest, Australian Olympian and gold medallist from the 2002 Winter Olympics, Steven Bradbury – an athlete whose story is one of years of hard work paying off in one of history’s most surprising, and well-deserved, victories.

12 | Motor Trader November 2021

. . . OVER THE NEXT FEW PAGES, WE FOCUS ON THE INCREDIBLY TALENTED GROUP OF FINALISTS IN THE RUNNING FOR THE MTA QUEENSLAND APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD. The highlights of the evening, however, will be the announcement of the winners of the MTA Queensland awards. In last month’s edition of Motor Trader, we reviewed the amazing individuals and businesses that are finalists in the Community award, the Innovation award, and the Women In Industry award categories.

In this month’s edition, and over the next few pages, we focus on the incredibly

UE ENS LAN D O F T HE Y E A R I N ALISTS

yes, Awngdan Daipha, eid and Daniel O’Dea.

talented group of finalists in the running for the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award.

These young people, 2020 MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award winner some of whom have now Gabrielle Clift, with MTA Institute General Manager Paul Kulpa qualified in their chosen trade, represent the future some stage during the past 12 months. of the automotive industry, and in a That is no small feat - with more than landscape that is changing at a rapid 2000 students being trained by the pace, with new technology and new Institute across the state, these finalists concepts being developed and launched have already proved their outstanding seemingly every day, they are taking qualities, their skill and determination, their first steps into long careers full of as well as their passion for the industry. opportunities and exciting challenges.

However, there can be only one winner Each of these finalists exceled during of the Apprentice of the Year award and their apprenticeship training and were that person will be revealed on November presented with the MTA Institute 20. Congratulations to them all on their Apprentice of the Month award at achievements so far, and good luck!

November 2021 Motor Trader | 13

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MTA QUEENSLAND APPRE N T IC

JA MIE

L E N K E I T

QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 7 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I IN OU T DOOR P O W ER EQU I P M EN T E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : WA LDO’S M O B I L E M O W ER D O C T O R , B U ND A BERG

JAMIE LENKEIT WAS the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month award winner for October 2020.

Now 20 years old, Jamie completed his Outdoor Power Equipment apprenticeship in June this year and works as a qualified tradesperson with Waldo’s Mower Doctor in Bundaberg – the business with which he worked for the entirety of his training and Having rocketed through his which he joined while still at school. apprenticeship, Jamie is relaxed about what Showing skills, ability, and a work ethic his next steps might be but his loyalty to the that encouraged his employers to say he employers who took him on and gave him a was ‘a huge asset to our business’, Jamie is chance is laudable. well-deserving of a spot as a finalist for the “I would like to stay here and help my Apprentice of the Year award. boss out and see what happens,” he said.

The outdoor power equipment “I think I would like to start working on a apprenticeship comprises training to few cars, building them up and selling them diagnose, repair and service outdoor on – that is something I really enjoy doing.” power engines, engine components, And he is certainly giving that a shot. He is cooling and petrol fuel systems, clutch currently working on four cars of his own - a assemblies and drive management systems V8 VZ Commodore, a V6 VZ Commodore, for lawn mowers, chainsaws, brush cutters, an Audi A4, and a Suzuki Sierra – all of which generators and other such equipment. are registered and on the road.

Jamie has been working at Waldo’s for With the naming of the Apprentice of the nearly four years. A driven young student, Year just around the corner, Jamie said it he went looking for experience in the was an honour to be a finalist and will be mechanical sector and was willing to put attending the big night along with his boss in the time to earn a spot in the workshop Chris Walden. He was, he said, a little nervous and the opportunity of an apprenticeship. but looking forward to the event.

“I would come in after school, and did “It is a big deal and to be recognised that for about six months,” he said.

CLICK for doing all I could, would be TO VISIT THE “When school finished, I started good,” he said. “Honestly, it would WALDO’S MOWER working here a couple of days a be good to win but, whatever DOCTOR week and then started full time, WEBSITE happens, to be named an and I was here for about six months Apprentice of the Month and to be before I started my apprenticeship a finalist for Apprentice of the Year through the MTA Institute.” is very special.”

“I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO START WORKING ON A FEW CARS, BUILDING THEM UP AND SELLING THEM ON – THAT IS SOMETHING I REALLY ENJOY DOING.”

14 | Motor Trader November 2021

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O F T HE YEA R AWARD

JA KE

FINALIS T S

K I TH E R

QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : BRO W N S A U T O B A H N , N A M B O U R

I developed a real passion for cars.

23-YEAR-OLD JAKE KITHER was “I love working on them and I love presented with the Apprentice of the Month driving them and after working here for a award in November 2020, impressing with while, I asked dad for an apprenticeship.” his dedication to the job and his training, Working directly under the supervision as well as his customer service skills and of his dad has, Jake said, been a great professional attitude.

He completed his light vehicle experience. apprenticeship in March this year and “I thought working with dad might be a continues to work for Browns Autobahn in bit of a test, but it has been really good. We Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. get on well and I learn a lot every day from The business is owned by Jake’s father him and the other guys here. He puts the Todd, so it might be expected that Jake pressure on sometimes but that makes you would find his way into the automotive work harder and think more, and that is a industry. However, while he has always had good thing.” a passion for cars, becoming a mechanic Like the other Apprentice of the Year was not the career he initially imagined for finalists, Jake acknowledges that electrified himself. vehicles will play a part in his future career “I actually wanted to be a helicopter and said he is considering further training pilot,” Jake told Motor Trader when chatting with that in mind. about his Apprentice of the Month win. “I “I am keen to look at an auto-electrical enjoy heading out west and thought that I apprenticeship,” he said. “However, we don’t would go for my pilot’s licence and perhaps have an auto-electrician here yet, and we try heli-mustering on a station out there. need one for me to do the training. When However, getting a helicopter licence is an that happens, I will definitely be doing that.” expensive business and I needed to earn Jake will be attending the Industry some money.”

Gala with a handful of family and friends The answer to earning that money? Work and said he is proud to be a finalist and at dad’s workshop. Not that working there to be in the running for the Apprentice of would be something new to Jake - he has the Year award. been helping at the shop for years.

“The other finalists are definitely “I used to come in on my school deserving as well, so I am not CLICK holidays, from when I was about 9, TO VISIT holding my breath, but it would be THE BROWNS and I would wash cars and sweep an unreal achievement to get it,” he AUTOBAHN the floors and help out,” he said. said. “If I don’t, well it’s not the end WEBSITE “And every school holiday I would of the world. Obviously, it would be come in and I would learn a little icing on the cake, but it is still huge more and do a few more things, and getting to where I am now.”

November 2021 Motor Trader | 15

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MTA QUEENSLAND APPRE N T IC

KE IT H

FOR S T M A N

QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 2 4 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I A U T OM O T I V E R E F I NI S H I NG T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : F LIGH T M A R I NE , YATA L A

KEITH FORSTMAN WAS the Apprentice of the Month for December 2020.

The 32-year-old has worked at Flight Marine in southeast Queensland for five years and completed his spray-painting apprenticeship at the end of 2020.

12 months on and Keith is now the shop supervisor, a role that has seen him take on plenty of responsibility.

“It means that if something goes wrong, my boss comes looking for me!” he said with a laugh. “Actually, what it means is that I make sure jobs are done on time, that quality control is right, that people turn up on time and so on. And I enjoy that extra responsibility very much.”

Throughout his training, Keith proved to be an outstanding student, so it’s no surprise to find he has moved swiftly into a position of responsibility.

“He has been one of my best apprentices,” said Alfio Rotolone, Keith’s MTA Institute trainer, when Keith was named as Apprentice of the Month. “He can adapt to any environment and task, and always performs to the highest standard. His attention to detail is off the chart.”

Keith made his move into spray painting after spending time as a warehouse storeman. While searching for a job that offered more opportunities for him and his young family, he learned that Dave Worley, owner of Flight Marine, was looking to take someone on.

Flight Marine offers spray-painting services and abrasive blasting services for a wide range of products, but its focus is on 16 | Motor Trader November 2021

“I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT SOMEDAY – A JOB WHERE YOU ARE DOING THE WORK YOU ENJOY BUT ARE PASSING ON YOUR SKILLS.” boats and for Keith, securing a role there was a great opportunity. However, he did not have expectations of becoming a tradesman.

“My uncle is a panel beater and spray painter, and I would visit his workshop when I was a child, but it never crossed my mind as a career option,” he said. “Dave gave me a go, but because of my age I didn’t come here thinking about an apprenticeship.

“I spent about 18 months helping out before Dave offered me that opportunity.”

While many of the skills required by those who paint boats are the same as for those who are automotive spray painters, there are some differences that, said Keith, take some getting used to.

“It’s not just the boat body,” he said. “There are a lot of parts to consider - including the roofs, tops, lounges and seats. 90 per cent of boats don’t have floors when we work on them, so you have to climb through the framework and be careful not to leave any marks in the paint. It can be quite tricky, and it is very satisfying seeing the finished job.”

Regarding his apprenticeship, Keith said the MTA Institute’s one-on-one training model had been a great experience and becoming a trainer himself was one career path he was considering.

C E

O F T HE YEA R AWARD

FINALIS T S

“I think I would like to do that someday “I am definitely nervous, and maybe my – a job where you are doing the work you age may go against me as I am a bit older enjoy but are passing on your skills,” he said. and have had time to achieve a little bit “However, I think I would also like to be a more,” he said. “But I have done a lot in a manager, or perhaps even own my own shop. short amount of time, and I would really like To move up and manage this business to win. It would mean every risk I took, when the boss is ready to put his feet and all the hard work has paid off.

CLICK up - that would be great.”

“And it would make me very proud TO VISIT THE Keith will be at the Industry and would make my wife very FLIGHT MARINE WEBSITE Gala along with his wife and, he proud, and she played a big part in said, he was very pleased to be getting me through. However, I also a finalist and keen to be able to know that whatever happens, I am hang another award on his wall. certainly heading in the right direction.”

RYA N

S M O OTH E Y

QUALIFICATION: AUR31120 CERTIFICATE III IN HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : E A S T C O A S T T RU C K & T R A I L ER

RYAN SMOOTHEY IS one of the youngest Apprentice of the Year finalists.

The Apprentice of the Month for December 2020, the now 18-year-old Heavy Commercial Vehicle apprentice is scheduled to complete his training soon and has been working for Glen Alexander at East Coast Truck & Trailer in Gympie for the past four years.

Ryan started his career in the industry via a school-based apprenticeship, although that was with another business that offered agricultural equipment services. Unfortunately, that business went under, leaving Ryan looking for another job and he found a new employer through sheer persistence.

“I went to what I thought was every single one in town, and they all said, ‘We just don’t have the work to take someone on’.” said Ryan. “One day, I was going for a drive with one of my mates and I spotted this shop, East Coast Truck & Trailer, with

a few trucks parked outside. I went in, ended up talking to Glen and he said, ‘I’m looking for an apprentice, I’ll see you here tomorrow at 7am’!”

Working for Glen at East Coast Truck & Trailer, and shifting over to a Heavy Commercial apprenticeship, has exposed Ryan to a huge variety of mechanical work. East Coast offers all mechanical services - including engine rebuilds and modifications - on everything from utes to major mining trucks and everything in between.

Ryan said that working at East Coast Truck & Trailer is a tremendously educational and enjoyable experience.

“Since I was really young, I enjoyed pulling stuff apart and putting it back together,” he said. “I started with my pushbikes, then motorbikes, and I then started building motorised go-karts and so on. It went from there.

“And I love it here,” he added. “I was November 2021 Motor Trader | 17

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working on clutches and engine rebuilds and all that sort of stuff in my second year, and with only me and Glen working here, there’s lots of opportunity to work on interesting jobs. Glen is really talented and has taught me so much and I now do full engine rebuilds, as well as clutches and gearboxes, by myself.”

With his apprenticeship nearly over, Ryan said his plans start with a commitment to East Coast Truck & Trailer.

“I have been offered work at the mines, and I think I would like to start my own business one day, but I’d like to work for

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Glen for a few years,” he said. “He has taught me everything I know, and I’d like to give a bit back to him if I can.”

Ryan will be attending the Industry Gala with his partner and Glenn, and said he was looking forward to the night and the announcement of the Apprentice of the Year winner.

“At the end of the day, if I get, that is cool, if not, good on whoever does get it,” he said. “It is a big honour whatever happens, but if I were to win, it would mean that all the hard work has paid off, and that would be great.”

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QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : BR IS B A N E 4 W D S P E C I A L I S T S E M P L O Y E R : WAY NE PA R K A U T O & T YR E S , BR I S B A NE

GO BACK 10 YEARS and being a finalist for the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award was probably not something the now 33-year-old Samuel Hennings would ever think possible.

That’s because, back then, Samuel was working in healthcare. In fact, he spent several years as a pharmacist, then briefly worked in dentistry, before joining the automotive industry.

Like many people, it took Samuel a while to realise what he really wanted to do.

Unlike many others, however, he took the chance to leave the security of the career he had built to dive into something new.

“Out of school, I did what people thought I should do, and so I became a pharmacist and worked in a hospital for about six years after I graduated,” he said. “It was good money but not particularly satisfying, and 18 | Motor Trader November 2021

“WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, MY DAD WAS ALWAYS TINKERING WITH THE CARS HE HAD, AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN HOW THINGS WORK AND WAS STARTING TO DO SOME THINGS ON MY OWN CAR.” so I started looking around for something else. I started studying dentistry and did that for about six months but realised I was doing it for the wrong reasons.

“It was my girlfriend who said I should look out of the box a bit and start to think about what I was really interested in.

“When I was growing up, my dad was

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the electrification revolution whose always tinkering with the cars he had, EVs and hybrids will, in time, be seen at and I have always been interested in how independent workshops. things work and was starting to do some “I haven’t come across a full electric things on my own car. So, I approached car yet but have seen a few hybrids,” said Brisbane 4WD about doing some work Samuel. “It’s a bit new for everyone in experience, and a couple of months later I the trade - unless you work for Toyota or started the apprenticeship.”

Tesla - so I will have to do some training.

According to his MTA Institute trainer What we do get are a lot of classic highRoger West, Samuel was an outstanding employee and student, showing real passion end vehicles coming through, including old Ferraris and Porsches. The older for the work and a commitment to ‘get his mechanics usually work on them, but I hands dirty and give everything a go’.

That’s an attitude every employer values, as did work on a Lotus Elise the other day, it is, no doubt, by Samuel’s current employers so that was special.”

Regarding the Industry Gala and the at Wayne Park Auto & Tyres in Brisbane.

Apprentice of the Year award, Samuel said Having recognised that the industry is he was honoured to be a finalist and going through a technological revolution, that was an achievement in itself.

Samuel will get some good exposure “I am sure whoever wins will to high-tech machinery at Wayne CLICK TO VISIT THE deserve it. I am just going to Park as the business offers not WAYNE PARK enjoy the night,” he said. “It just repair, maintenance and AUTO & TYRES would be amazing to win other services for all vehicle WEBSITE though, and it certainly would makes, but specialises in prestige be a huge achievement to shine brands including Porsche, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes – leaders in amongst so many good candidates.”

J O S H UA F R A M P TON QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : G A R RY CR IC K N A M B O U R

FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, deciding what they want to do with their lives and what career they want to pursue, is a difficult decision. Interests change over the years, and it is, one suspects, unusual for a young teenager to know what they want and have a plan, stretching out over more than a decade, that maps out their path to get there.

Joshua Frampton is one such individual.

Now 26, the fourth-year light vehicle apprentice with the Cricks Maroochydore

dealership was the Apprentice of the Month for March 2021 and his long-term planning has seen him not only near completion of his apprenticeship but also earn a business degree – all with the goal of owning a mechanical workshop business of his own.

“I’ve had the plan to open my own mechanical and restoration shop since high school,” Joshua told Motor Trader when discussing his Apprentice of the Month win.

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“Originally, I did think about going Level One technician training course. straight to train as a mechanic, but my The Renault program, recognised by father - who spent decades in the industry the company worldwide, has three stages - told me that I should look at owning my which lead to a master technician grade own business. So, that’s what I planned. I called COTECH. Considering Renault is one worked at it, went to uni and completed a of the brands at the leading edge of vehicle bachelor’s degree in Business Management technology, including electrification, it’s a and International Business and then went valuable program to complete. for the apprenticeship.”

“Cricks is one of the highest-regarded Such commitment is paying off, and companies here on the coast and it has Joshua’s drive has prompted his bosses to been invaluable working in a place like say that he goes ‘beyond in all aspects of this,” said Joshua. “The Renault training is his duties,’ and commits ‘to being the best recognised worldwide, and I will pursue he can at all times.’

EV training when the opportunity comes.”

Working for the Cricks Group means Joshua said he was excited at being a Joshua has exposure to a wide range of finalist for Apprentice of the Year and makes and models of cars, as well as to confident that he had done all he could to a highly successful business operation – be in the running for the award. the company represents 16 automotive “I am proud to have got where I am brands in five dealership locations across and have the Apprentice of the Month Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region. award sitting next to my bed at home,” he Currently at the Cricks’ Wises Road said. “To win the Apprentice of the Year dealership in Maroochydore – which award would be a great personal sells Renault, Suzuki and Ssangyong achievement. It would be great to brands as well as used vehicles CLICK be recognised for the effort I’ve TO VISIT THE Joshua has also done a stint at CRICKS GROUP put in, it would look great on the another of the company’s sites WEBSITE CV, and it would be great too for that sells Mitsubishi, Subaru, my parents and my partner, as it Skoda, and VW. However, his might make up for all those long recent focus has been on Renault, nights and stressful days!” with whom he has completed the

K L ARA H

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QU A LIFIC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O YE R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : M E RCE DE S - B EN Z S U NS H I NE C O A S T

KLARAH CASSAR-TAN was the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for April 2021 and is the sole woman amongst this year’s Apprentice of the Year finalists.

The 18-year-old light vehicle apprentice is in the third year of her training and has 20 | Motor Trader November 2021

been working for Mercedes-Benz Sunshine Coast since 2018.

She has made quite an impression, both as an employee and as a student, with both her bosses at Mercedes-Benz and her MTA Institute trainer commenting on her

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it,” she said. “We do have electric vehicles dedication, enthusiasm, and work ethic. coming out now, and though I personally Having always been fascinated by cars haven’t worked on one, I would love to get – she was an avid matchbox model car collector as a kid - Klarah got the opportunity into that as well. That’s where things are headed.” to work with Mercedes while she was still at While her passion for the work will school. It was, she said, a chance she leapt at. ensure a long and rewarding career in the “My school was organising work industry, Klarah has a couple of pathways experience opportunities, and when we in mind that she has looked at pursuing. were asked what we would like to do, I “I would love to open and run my own instantly said motor mechanics. It has workshop one day.” she said. “Or go to always interested me, and I really wanted Germany to work and build cars. That would to have a go with Mercedes-Benz, so I put be awesome as well. I like to aim high.” in an application,” she said. “I went to do Klarah will be attending the Industry a week of work experience and was then Gala along with her partner and her mum, offered a school-based apprenticeship. It dad and sister, and she is excited and a little was all very exciting.

“I have been here since August 2018, when nervous as the Apprentice of the Award announcement gets closer. To win, she said, I was doing one day a week as part of that would be very special and not just because school-based apprenticeship and started such an accolade would look good on a CV. here full time in July 2019. And I have no “It would be very special to be named regrets. I’m very lucky to be working for Apprentice of the Year,” she said. “I know Mercedes-Benz. I love it so much.” that one of the prizes for the winner is two Klarah works on a wide variety of jobs, weeks’ work experience with Triple Eight and being this is Mercedes-Benz, those Racing, and that would mean the world jobs mean working on some advanced to me. And I know too, that if I were vehicles. And with the company having to win the award it would mean revealed the first of its EQ range of CLICK something to other young women electric vehicles, that technology is TO VISIT THE wanting to get into the industry. something Klarah is keen to work MERCEDES-BENZ “However, it must be hard to with when the opportunity arises.

SUNSHINE COAST WEBSITE choose who will take home the “Mercedes cars are very award,” she added. “I have read complex with lots of technology about the other finalists, and they and there’s always something new to learn. It keeps me busy, and I love all seem awesome.”

JAK E

C HI T HA M

QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : J A X T YR E S & A U T O T O O W O O M B A

JAKE CHITHAM was the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for May 2021.

The 25-year-old, who works for Jax Tyres

& Auto Toowoomba, completed his light vehicle apprenticeship earlier this year and as well as proving to be an outstanding November 2021 Motor Trader | 21

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“I APPRECIATE NOT BEING CALLED THE APPRENTICE ANYMORE. IT’S GOOD TO HAVE THE TRADESMAN TITLE! . . . BUT I MAY LOOK AT DOING A MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC APPRENTICESHIP, AND THE OWNER HERE IS LOOKING INTO SOME TRAINING FOR HYBRIDS AND EVS, EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T DO A LOT OF THEM YET.”

student, he is, according to his employer, an equally outstanding employee who ‘loves his job, is 100 per cent involved, is great with customers and goes beyond his normal job role’.

Jake knows well the operation of the Jax shop having worked at the Toowoomba location for nearly 10 years, starting there as a junior tyre fitter when he was 16. He had actually started his journey in the automotive industry even earlier than that, having left school to take a job as a trade assistant at a Yamaha dealership.

“Things were a bit quiet there and I was put off,” he said. “But one day, as I was on my way to go dirt-bike riding, I saw a sign outside of the Jax workshop that read, ‘Junior Tyre Fitter Wanted.’ I had my bike riding outfit on and had grease and the owner here is looking into everywhere because I had been working some training for hybrids and EVs, even on the bike, but I came in, talked to the though we don’t do a lot of them yet. owners, and they told me to come in the “I can also say that I am still learning next Monday. I’ve been here ever since.” a lot,” he added. “I’ve probably learned Over the years, Jake was involved in as much in the last six months as just about every aspect of the business. during my apprenticeship, especially He started out tyre fitting, moved into in diagnostics and the use of scan tools wheel aligning and then into sales, before and so on.” moving back into the workshop.

With the Industry Gala and the “I basically did a bit of everything, and presentation of the Apprentice of the then the opportunity came around for Year award just around the corner, Jake the apprenticeship and I jumped on that said he would be attending the event straight away,” he said. with his family and employers, and While it has been just six months since while hopeful he might win the award, Jake completed his training, his decade he said it was clear the other finalists of experience has seen him take on a were very deserving. mentoring role for other apprentices in “I guess I have as good a chance the workshop as well as other leadership as anyone,” he said. “But I know roles. But like many young people, he everyone has put in the hard recognises the value in continually CLICK TO work to be there. Really, it’s a learning and is aware of the VISIT THE JAX great achievement being a direction the industry is taking.

TYRES & AUTO finalist, but I certainly would “I appreciate not being called TOOWOOMBA WEBSITE be honoured to have that title the apprentice anymore. It’s good and the recognition that I put to have the tradesman title!” he in the hard yards during my said. “But I may look at doing a apprenticeship.” motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship, 22 | Motor Trader November 2021

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C URT I S V I DU L I CH QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : T HR E E P OIN T C L A S S I C , M O U N T G R AVAT T

CURTIS VIDULICH was the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for June 2021.

The 25-year-old, who works for Three Point Classic in Mount Gravatt in Brisbane, is in the third year of his light vehicle apprenticeship and proving to be an excellent student, impressing with his work ethic, attention to detail and skill level.

“Curtis is clever, well beyond his years,” said James Dixon, Curtis’ MTA Institute trainer. “He is always up to date with his training and is doing work that fully qualified apprentices are doing, and doing it better.”

Working in automotive was not originally something that was on Curtis’ radar. In fact, just a few years ago, he was studying computer games design at university.

“This is a bit of a change, but I found I didn’t really enjoy sitting around, working on a computer, and realised I wanted to do something more physical,” he said.

“I have friends who know a lot about cars and who work on their own cars and decided I’d like to find out more.

“I was actually at the computer store right next door to Three Point Classic here at Mount Gravatt, and my parents convinced me I should just walk in and ask if they were looking for an apprentice.

So, that’s what I did.”

That spur-of-the-moment conversation went well, and Curtis started at Three Point the next day, completing four weeks of work experience before signing up for an apprenticeship.

Nearly three years on, Curtis is working

“WE DO EVERYTHING HERE – SERVICING AND TYRES, TRANSMISSIONS, CYLINDER HEADS, AND A LOT OF CANBUS DIAGNOSTIC WORK . . . AND I DO ENJOY THAT SIDE OF THINGS.” on some of the industry’s most technically advanced cars as Three Point Classic – which has four service centres across south-east Queensland - specialises in the servicing, maintenance and repair of highend European vehicles from Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW, as well as British manufacturer Morgan.

Working on these cars, particularly Mercedes, has seen Curtis develop a particular skill for diagnostics - with his employer noting that he has ‘an advanced understanding of complex Mercedes-Benz operating system’ - and he carries out diagnostic work in a number of other areas.

“We do everything here – servicing and tyres, transmissions, cylinder heads, and a lot of CANBUS diagnostic work,” said Curtis. “And I do enjoy that side of things.”

And with Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW now fully committed to manufacturing electric vehicles, there’s more advanced technology headed in Curtis’ direction.

“Electric vehicles are on their way, and we are considering the training that we will need to take and that will definitely need to be done,” he said.

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Curtis said he will be attending the Win or not, when he completes his Industry Gala event with work colleagues apprenticeship, Curtis said he will stay and his mum, dad, and brother, and on with Three Point Classic for the while proud to be a finalist, he has foreseeable future. It is, he said, a CLICK not yet considered just what being TO VISIT shop where he can develop his named the Apprentice of the Year THE THREE POINT skills further.

CLASSIC, MOUNT would mean.

GRAVATT “I am really happy working “I really haven’t thought that WEBSITE here,” he said. “It is a brilliant far ahead,” he said. “But I am workshop and the people I work looking forward to the night and with and for are all great people.” am confident but nervous!”

D IO N

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QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 0 6 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I LIGH T V E HIC L E M E C H A NI C A L T E C H NO L O G Y E M P L O Y E R D U R I NG A P P R EN T I C E S H I P : T OO W ONG M A Z D A

DION BROWN was the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for July 2021.

The 22-year-old has worked at Toowong Mazda for the entirety of his training, starting work with the company in 2016, and completed his light vehicle apprenticeship in August this year.

During that time, Dion impressed with his efforts during training and has become a highly valued member of the Toowong Mazda team.

“Dion has been a great student,” said Keith Minchin, Dion’s MTA Institute trainer. “He gets along very well with his colleagues and is always willing to lend a hand wherever it’s needed. He’s a very approachable guy and others tend to gravitate towards him if they need any help in the workshop.”

Though he had always been interested in cars, having a career in the industry was not, initially at least, something to which Dion had given much thought.

“My dad used to work on cars on the weekend, so I was always interested,” 24 | Motor Trader November 2021

“MY DAD USED TO WORK ON CARS ON THE WEEKEND, SO I WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED . . . HOWEVER, I WAS WORKING ON MY OWN CAR A LOT AND REALLY ENJOYED IT, SO I THOUGHT PERHAPS I SHOULD PURSUE IT.” he said. “But I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after school. However, I was working on my own car a lot and really enjoyed it, so I thought perhaps I should pursue it.

“I finished school in 2016 and my friend had a job as a car washer at Toowong Mazda. He got moved up to being an apprentice and asked if I wanted the job as a washer, which I took. Then, in September of 2017, they said I was doing a good job and was a hard worker and offered me an apprenticeship.”

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great place to launch his career.

Dion said he particularly enjoys the “Working here has been great,” he said. more technical aspects of the job.

“I wouldn’t mind trying to become a Master “I do like working on engines and doing the diagnostic work,” he said. “I don’t mind Technician at Mazda, doing more indepth training on their vehicles and their doing services, but I’d rather think about technology, and taking that extra step to what is happening and try to figure out learn even more and see how far I can go.” what a problem is and how to fix it. I do Dion said he was looking forward to the enjoy that.”

Given the complexity of modern cars, the Industry Gala and will have the support of his partner and family on the night. He is, diagnostic and problem-solving skills he he said, nervous but confident, and that has learned and wants to develop further being a finalist for the Apprentice of the will be extremely useful. Fortunately, Year award is an honour that reminds him Mazda appears to be well prepared to how far he has come. upskill its technicians.

“You’ve got to be in to win it,” he Like many young apprentices, said. “When I first started my Dion is aware that the changing CLICK apprenticeship I was obviously technology of the industry TO VISIT THE TOOWONG new and didn’t know much, but means that upskilling will likely MAZDA WEBSITE being where I am now shows that be a constant in his career, and the bosses saw a lot in me and that working for an innovative that really boosts my confidence company such as Mazda - and with for the future.” the team at Toowong - makes it a

JOSHUA MIDDLEBROOK QU A LIF IC AT I O N : A U R 3 1 1 2 0 C ER T I F I C AT E I I I IN HE AV Y C O M M ERC I A L V EH I C L E M E C H A NI C AL T E CHN OL OG Y EMPLOYER DURING APPRENTICESHIP: BMAS BILOELA

JOSHUA MIDDLEBROOK was the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for August 2021.

At the time, the 24-year-old had just completed his Heavy Commercial Vehicle apprenticeship but had accomplished plenty more in the four years working for BMAS Biloela, including completing a light vehicle apprenticeship, qualifying as an Approved Examiner, gaining his automotive air conditioning licence, and become a Massey Ferguson trained technician.

While Joshua has now moved on from BMAS Biloela, the skills he accumulated

there certainly came in useful, with the business offering a wide array of services – including mobile repair and maintenance services to the many agricultural businesses in the central Queensland farming region – enabling Joshua to work on everything from power equipment to cars, and from trucks to tractors.

“We work on pretty much anything that has an engine, and we also do hydraulic rams, some auto electrical work, air conditioning, and a bit of fabrication too,” said Joshua when interviewed by Motor Trader for the Apprentice of the Month November 2021 Motor Trader | 25

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award. “I work in just about every area, and I like that. It’s really varied work and you don’t know what you’re going to be doing the next day” Joshua’s interest in mechanical work began when he was a teenager working on a farm where there was plenty of machinery to maintain and repair.

“Anything that was broken down we tried to fix, and I thought it was pretty cool to be working with my hands, be out in the sun and not sat in an office,” he said.

“Then I learned that BMAS were looking for a TA, so I came down, did a couple of B MAS B ILO E LA ESTABLISHED IN 2014 by Shari and Steve Hancox (with a partner who was later bought out by the couple) BMAS Biloela has enjoyed real success, growing from a small endeavour based in a shed, to a large servicing and equipment sales concern employing 12 staff.

“BMAS is not your typical mechanical workshop because we are an agricultural machinery dealership selling tractors and farm machinery – we hold the franchises for Massey-Ferguson, Versatile, and Deutz-Fahr - and other equipment in addition to the mechanical side of the business,” said Shari.

While the passenger vehicle sector is becoming very technologically advanced, the agricultural sector is well known for pushing the envelope when it comes to technology, developing some extraordinary equipment designed to help farmers reap the greatest harvests and profits while also being environmentally sound.

Take one of BMAS’ latest sales, a machine called the Croplands RoGator, for example.

This amazing machine – a self-propelled sprayer - uses camera-based technology called WEED-IT that is sensitive enough to spray only weeds. Compared to blanket 26 | Motor Trader November 2021

“I WORK IN JUST ABOUT EVERY AREA, AND I LIKE THAT. IT’S REALLY VARIED WORK AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO BE DOING THE NEXT DAY.” other things so they could see what I knew and what I was like with tools and so on, and they offered me an apprenticeship.”

While very interested in working on

Steve Hancox of BMAS Biloela

spraying, the system is extremely efficient, said Shari, using a fraction of the herbicide and water normally required.

“The technology is amazing and what is incredible is that farmers that have them are seeing a 90 per cent reduction in chemical useage,” she said. “So, environmentally, the improvement to the footprint is phenomenal.”

There are, in fact, parallels between the

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Thanks to his trainer at the time - who knew of Joshua’s interest in heavy vehicles Joshua was also exposed to plenty of heavy commercial training units at the same time, a move that enabled him to complete a heavy vehicle apprenticeship relatively quickly when one became available.

While he is now dual-qualified, Joshua’s enthusiasm for the industry, and his

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recognition that it is becoming more technologically advanced, means he will look to expand his skills further.

“I’m all for learning new things and I will definitely be looking at autoelectrical training at some point,” he said. “If you look at modern engines, they are completely different to those from back in the day and there are that many modules and computers on them now. So that is the next trade I would like to do.

“You can never stop learning. You have to keep up to date with modern gear that is being rolled out.”

in the agricultural industry it is all going toward automation. For example, MasseyFerguson has a farming site that is all automated – including tractors.”

This technological advancement is one reason BMAS is so focused on training and developing young talent, and the business always has apprentices coming through the ranks, offering them every opportunity to learn the latest technologies and skills.

“Training is something we invest in very heavily,” said Shari. “And not just with MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute, but across all the brands we work with.

“There is competition for good technicians, and we can’t really compete financially with the mines, so we believe in ‘growing our own’ and look to retain them if we can. technological advances in the agricultural “Interestingly, and given the push to get sector and those in the passenger vehicle more females into the trades and MTA sector. Both are racing ahead with Queensland’s ‘You cannot be what new concepts and developments, CLICK you cannot see’ campaign, we have TO VISIT but the agricultural sector is, said a female technician who has THE BMAS Shari, on a slightly different path. just completed her light vehicle BILOELA WEBSITE “I do sit in on some of the training and is about to go into automotive webinars about heavy training, and we have just electric vehicles and how employed another first-year female technology is evolving there, but apprentice. So that is exciting.”

November 2021 Motor Trader | 27

Elliott Lemmon, MTA Queensland’s Apprentice of the Year in 2017, grasped the opportunities that opened to him and has travelled extensively, including to China where he worked with heavyweight racing team Absolute Racing.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: AN APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR’S JOURNEY

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ITH MORE THAN 2000 apprentices training with the MTA Institute, it is a tremendous achievement to be named as the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year. It is an accolade that recognises an apprentice who has the passion, skills, and enthusiasm for the job, who has put in the hard yards to learn and succeed, and who has the desire to make a mark on, and be a leader in, our industry.

And it’s an award that can also open a lot of doors and lead to a world of truly valuable opportunities for those willing to walk through.

Take the case of Elliott Lemmon who, as a 19-year-old, third-year light vehicle 28 | Motor Trader November 2021

apprentice, was named Apprentice of the Year in 2017. In the four years since winning the award and becoming a tradesman, Elliott has had, to put it mildly, a busy time filled with memorable experiences.

Through his association with MTA Queensland, Elliott was able to satisfy a passion for motorsport – first as a member of MTA Queensland’s Racing Team and then, thanks to his Apprentice of the Year win, two weeks of work experience with the renowned Triple Eight Race Engineering Supercars team (an experience that is, incidentally, available to this year’s Apprentice of the Year winner too).

But that was just a taster of where this determined young man’s career would

Today, Elliott lives in Vancouver, Canada, and works at the Parkshore BMW dealership, where he is training to become a BMW-certified technician.

“MY TIME WITH ABSOLUTE RACING WAS ABSOLUTELY MIND BLOWING! I LEARNT SO MUCH ABOUT THE WHOLE OPERATION, . . .

I HAD TO LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO MOVE MULTIPLE PURPOSE-BUILT RACE CARS AROUND THE WORLD AND HAVE THEM BE COMPETITIVE ON THE TRACK.” take him over the next two years through 2018 and 2019.

Early in 2019, Elliott, then 21, was awarded a scholarship from the Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF) – a scholarship founded via a partnership between QOF, MTA Queensland, the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers and the Construction & Mining Equipment Industry Group - which offers graduates in the Queensland automotive industry the chance to work abroad with the help of a $7500 scholarship.

Elliott took full advantage of the opportunity and his first foray into the world of international motorsport competition was with the powerhouse Absolute Racing outfit - a team that operates in China, Malaysia and the

United States, and which competes in multiple categories including the Asian Le Mans Series, Audi R8 LMS Cup, Blancpain GT Series Asia, China GT Championship, GT Asia Series, Pirelli World Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Formula Masters Series.

Elliott travelled to Asia to work with the team in China, working on one of their vehicles in the Blancpain Asia Series.

“My time with Absolute Racing was absolutely mind blowing! I learnt so much about the whole operation,” Elliott told Motor Trader in 2019 following his stint with the team.

“It took me to some world class tracks such as Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Chang International Circuit (Thailand) and my favourites: Suzuka and Mount Fuji in Japan.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 29

“I had to learn what it takes to move multiple purpose-built race cars around the world and have them be competitive on the track. From maintenance, to repairs, to setting up the car with engineers, to performing pit stops during races. I did it all.

“I also worked with most of the Audi Customer Racing side, and they were unreal at making split-second decisions and making things happen. I am very grateful for the experience.”

Toward the end of 2019, Elliott decided to set his sights even further afield and made the move to Vancouver in Canada.

Arriving at the start of 2020, he scored a job with the Parkshore BMW dealership in North Vancouver and had plans not only to explore the country but move back into the workshop to experience the mechanical trade from another perspective.

As you have probably guessed, the timing of Elliott’s move to Canada was not the best. Within weeks of his arrival, COVID-19 began its sweep across the world.

“I arrived in Vancouver on the February 25, 2020, and I was full of ambition and hunger,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to have to face, but a pandemic was not what I expected!

“I started with BMW in March 2020. I had been applying for jobs at every high-end

30 | Motor Trader November 2021

automotive shop I could possibly find and in just under three weeks I had a house to live in, a car, and a good job, and then Vancouver went into a COVID lockdown.

“At first it was very scary, not knowing what was going to happen or when it would be over, but Canada has been a good place to be during the pandemic,” he added. “I was frustrated that I couldn’t be doing more but I also realised I’m very lucky in comparison to some.

“When I started with BMW, I was part time, but we were lucky to be one of the busier dealerships during that period.

And while we have had restrictions - and actually there is a mask requirement at the moment - the rules have allowed us to do a lot of things just with social distancing.

“As for the job, I have been slowly

“. . . I HAVE BEEN SLOWLY GETTING THROUGH BMW TRAINING AND AIM TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BMW TECHNICIAN. I THINK IT’S AN IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT AND I CAN TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.”

getting through BMW training and aim to become a certified BMW Technician.

I think it’s an important achievement and I can take that experience and knowledge anywhere in the world.”

While he is focusing on the workshop experience and learning the ropes of working with high-tech BMW machines, motorsport still features heavily in Elliott’s life and future plans.

“I have made friends with a local team called Speed Fanatics and I have been working with them on race weekends and open track days,” he said. “They have multiple open- and closed-wheel race cars for grassroots racing and just recently I started taking care of a Lamborghini Super Trofeo GTO, which is a 2013 Gallardo built only for the track. It is just like the cars I worked on with Absolute Racing in Asia, just older and simpler.

“I have also pursued my passion for drifting and did buy a 350Z to take part at track days. I have since moved on to a G35 sedan which has a 350Z engine and suspension, has a welded locked differential and a crazy front arm suspension kit allowing my front wheels to turn up to 70 degrees!

“I recently tackled my first drift competition and did pretty well. My goal was just to qualify and be consistent and

though I was knocked out in the first round, I did nearly beat a guy who had been drifting for a long time. I plan on using that car to travel the USA and go to all my favourite tracks and drift with people who I look up to in that community.

“Another avenue I am interested in is stunt driving, I have met many stunt drivers in the drifting community here, some of whom are Australian, and I would love to learn more about that.”

Also on the cards is the modification of a 1998 Porsche Boxster soft-top. Bought partly to race and partly to highlight his skills, the Boxster project should be a valuable showpiece for Elliott.

“Over the winter I do plan on building it into a ‘spec’ Porsche to be able to run in events here,” he said. “It will have a hard-top conversion, a roll cage, and the suspension, wheels, and brakes will all be upgraded to handle circuit racing abuse.

“I’ll be doing the project with Gary, the owner of Speed Fanatics, and it will become a showcase of my work. It may be cheap, but it’s a mid-engine Porsche and it’s in the league of cars that I want to work on.”

It has been a pretty packed couple of years for Elliott. He has moved to a new country, found work, settled in, is chasing the motorsport dream, has travelled as much as lockdowns and restrictions on

As keen to get behind the wheel of a racing car as to work on the engine under the bonnet, Elliott now takes part in drift racing events in his modified Infiniti G35 sedan (far left) and works with racing team Speed Fanatics on their cars, which includes a Lamborghini Super Trofeo GTO (left). He has also drift-raced his 350Z (below).

November 2021 Motor Trader | 31

Elliott (right) with other Apprentice of the Year finalists and MTA Queensland Deputy GM for Member Services Marcello Riotto (centre) at the Gold Coast Supercars event in 2017

movement allow during a pandemic, and has bought, as young car enthusiasts are wont to do, a heap of cars (he has also owned a 2011 Subaru WRX hatch and a 2003 chevy Silverado with 500,000kms on the clock) in his short time in Canada.

Even with all that plus the pursuit of qualifying as a certified BMW technician, there are more plans to be pursued, and as the concern over COVID-19 begins to wane and the world begins to open back up, those plans are once again on his mind, with even a return to Australia and Queensland on the cards . . . eventually.

“Currently my work permit ends at the end of February 2022,” he said. “I have chosen to extend my stay just because flying is still questionable and I have missed out on nearly a year of normal life due to the pandemic.

Part of Elliott’s prize for being named Apprentice of the Year was work experience with the Triple Eight Supercar Racing team.

32 | Motor Trader November 2021

Elliott with Leeanne Turner, CEO of MTAA Super (now Spirit Super) and Supercars legend Criag Lowndes after being named Apprentice of the Year award in 2017

“THE SCALE OF WHAT I’M DOING FEELS HUGE, AND IF I CAN PUSH ANYONE TO CHASE THE SAME THING, I WOULD SAY THE END RESULT IS DEFINITELY WORTH IT!” “Once my work permit is extended, I will be able to leave the country without too much of an issue coming back and a big part of my dream is to travel to the USA and potentially work there too.

“Having said that, and while I have loads of things to achieve here in Canada, Brisbane will always be home, and I will return one day.”

Looking back at the four years that have passed since winning the Apprentice of the Year award, Elliott still can’t quite believe where his career has taken him.

“It has got to be the most insane thing I have ever experienced,” he said. “I look back now and realise I have matured as a tradesperson and understand the world a little bit more. I have met people who could be lifelong friends, made contacts from the other side of the planet, and have grown way more confident than I ever would have in Australia.

“The scale of what I’m doing feels huge, and if I can push anyone to chase the same thing, I would say the end result is definitely worth it!”

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Auto innovation news

FEDERAL GOV’T UNVEILS FUTURE FUELS STRATEGY AND PLAN TO INCREASE UPTAKE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

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RIME MINISTER SCOTT Morrison has revealed the Federal Government’s plan for an electric vehicle (EV) future.

Speaking at Toyota’s Hydrogen Centre in Altona, Melbourne, the Prime Minister announced the Future Fuels Strategy, which includes a variety of initiatives to encourage the uptake of EVs. The strategy includes new funding of $178 million for the Future Fuels Fund (pushing it to $250 million), to be used for new EV and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, as well as proposing partnering with the private sector and delivering thousands of charging stations to Australian homes.

The strategy will, the Government estimates, create more than 2600 jobs, and is expected to result in more than $500 million of combined private and public co-investment.

Furthermore, the Government will work with states and territories to address barriers to low-emission vehicle uptake and work to ensure the electricity grid can handle the moment when EVs are much more common and millions are being charged at more or less the same time at households across the country.

34 | Motor Trader November 2021

THE STRATEGY WILL, THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES, CREATE MORE THAN 2600 JOBS, AND IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN MORE THAN $500 MILLION OF COMBINED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC CO-INVESTMENT. Through the government’s approach, it estimates that: • emissions will be reduced by over 8 million tonnes by 2035 • charging infrastructure will be deployed in over 400 businesses, 50,000 households and over 1,000 new public access fast charging stations • convenient access to public fast charging

will be enabled for up to 84 per cent of the population (over 21 million people) • over 2,600 new jobs will be created • health costs of around $200 million will be avoided out to 2035 • electricity network upgrade costs of $224 million will be avoided by 2030 • the environment will be created for there to be 1.7 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.

What the strategy does not include are subsidies or tax incentives, sales targets, or minimum fuel emission standards.

Rather, the Government’s approach is – as is its wider strategy to reach zero emissions by 2050 – one which relies on technology and industry.

“Our plan for securing Australia’s economic recovery very much has our pathway to net zero emission by 2050 at its heart,” the Prime Minister said at the announcement. “And that plan is driven by technology, not taxes. It’s driven by backing Australian’s choices, not putting mandates on them and telling them what to do.”

In a statement, Angus Taylor, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction said the strategy is about helping motorists embrace the increasing range of technologies available to keep them moving in an informed and fair way.

“The Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy sets out the Government’s technologyled approach to reducing transport emissions while ensuring Australians can drive their preferred type of vehicle – be that petrol, diesel, hydrogen or electric powered,” he said.

“Our technology-led approach is already helping to enhance consumer and industry confidence. In the last eight months there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of low emissions vehicle models available in Australia.

“We are continuing to invest in the right infrastructure, while ensuring both those in the cities and regions can access this $250 million Fund.

“Like we saw with our world-leading rooftop solar uptake, we know that when new technologies reach price parity, Australians rapidly adopt them. We will take these lessons from solar integration into our reform work to ensure our grid is ‘EV ready’ to keep the lights on and bills affordable for everyone.

“Voluntary adoption of electric vehicles is the right pathway for reducing transport emissions over the long term. Stringent standards, bans or regressive taxes will limit choice and increase the upfront costs of cars for Australians.”

November 2021 Motor Trader | 35

Auto innovation news On its Future Fuels and Vehicle Strategy webpage, the government states that it will look to drive down the cost of technologies through industry partnerships.

“In our partnership with industry, the government will work with the private sector to drive costs down for hybrid, electric, hydrogen and bio-fuelled vehicles,” the website reads. “Industry is best placed to accelerate the technology development needed to reach price parity, but the government will continue to co-fund innovative R&D ( for example, for new technologies like hydrogen) and roll out the necessary supporting infrastructure.”

The Strategy has been met with a mixed reaction by automotive industry bodies, the majority of whom note that it is, at least, a step forward.

“Having a national plan is just the start of moves in the right direction if we are to keep up with the rest of the world,” said Rod Camm, MTA Queensland Group CEO. “New charging stations are helpful, however that will not incentivise the uptake of EVs until there are sufficient quantities for market forces to take over and put pressure on price. Any future focused strategy needs to address three things: the price gap between EVs and non-EVs, encouraging a wider range of electric vehicles, including mobility solutions through national policy and more needs to be known about charging options and range.

“Manufacturers will continue to bring their range of petrol vehicles to Australia while they are selling well and concentrate on having EVs available in other countries with more effective national emission policies.

“The next phase of the strategy should holistically consider a range of aspects related to zero emissions vehicles, including targets, taxation considerations, consumer charging preferences, future infrastructure locations and electricity 36 | Motor Trader November 2021

“HAVING A NATIONAL PLAN IS JUST THE START OF MOVES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IF WE ARE TO KEEP UP WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.” grid impacts, and incentives to encourage electric vehicle take-up including concepts like a “cash-back” scheme.”

For its part, the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) – the national body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia – declared some disappointment.

In a statement, the Council said that by ignoring subsidies, tax incentives, or sales targets, the government’s Future Fuels Strategy ‘ignores the most important and effective measures to improve electric vehicle uptake’.

“There’s no sugar coating it, Future Fuels is a fizzer,” said Behyad Jafari, CEO of the EVC. “Future Fuels is certainly an advance on the government’s rhetoric of the last election. The strategy has identified some of the correct benefits and pathways, but it does little to realise them.

“I welcome the progress we’ve seen, but it’s far too little too late. For a strategy that has apparently taken years to write, it leaves much to be desired.

Electric vehicles present a monumental opportunity for Australia not only in reducing pollution, but creating an innovative industry in manufacturing, technology, and services.

“The sector will continue to urge the government to take appropriate actions that get more vehicles to Australia and on our roads. It’s a shame this government doesn’t have the same ambition for Australians that the electric vehicle industry does.”

LAWS PROTECTING AGAINST HARASSMENT RECENT MEDIA STORIES about what may be happening in some parliamentarian’s offices is a reminder to all employers and business owners that no-one is immune from a sexual harassment claim.

The Fair Work Act and Regulations will soon be amended to give employers more power to sack perpetrators of sexual harassment.

The Federal Government has announced it will amend section 387 of the Act to clarify that sexual harassment can be a valid reason for termination when determining whether a dismissal was unfair.

It will also amend the definition of “serious misconduct” in the Fair Work Regulations to include sexual harassment, to clarify that this behaviour can justify summary dismissal.

In addition, education and guidance on unfair dismissal and other workplace rights will be updated. The Act will include a ‘stop sexual harassment order’ by clarifying that a stop-bullying order is available in the context of harassment.

model WHS laws for employers to ensure workers are not exposed to health and safety risks, which includes the risk of sexual harassment. Safe Work Australia guidance recently released specifically describes sexual harassment as a systemic risk employers must approach with a safety mindset.

PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS CODE OF PRACTICE A code of practice on managing psychosocial risks is currently being

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS developed by Safe Work Australia, which is to cover sexual harassment in the

TO MORE THAN 8000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY workplace.

This will help toINVOLVED increase POSITIVE DUTY ALREADY EXISTS IN THE INDUSTRY A positive duty already existsMOTORING under awareness of the duty to manage (website or e-magazine options)

psychosocial health and safety risks and improve compliance, it says, adding it will continue to support this work.

The aim is to create an improved culture of respectful workplace behaviour.

For further information about Policy for your workplace, please contact MTA Queensland.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 37 CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA GUIDE AND COSTS

Auto innovation news

FORD TO SELL CRATE MOTOR FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

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ORD HAS UNVEILED a crate motor, based on the all-electric Mustang Mach-E GT’s motor, that is available to buy in the US from authorised Ford parts warehouse dealers or online at Ford Performance Parts.

The Eluminator motor produces 210kW and 430Nm and is being sold for $3,900 ($AU5270). It is, the company said, targeted for builders looking for a transverse-oriented powertrain to electrify vehicles from modern to vintage cars, trucks and SUVs. As the shift to electric vehicles accelerates, the motor is the first of what Ford says will become a growing portfolio of performance parts and accessories for its electric vehicles, with plans being made to develop a wide list of components with some of the leading performance manufacturers, including battery systems, controllers and traction inverters to offer F-100 Eluminator concept

full turnkey aftermarket electrification solutions.

Globally, Ford says that vehicle performance parts and accessories industry generates approximately $50 billion ($AU68 billion) annually, covering hardware for everything from hot rods to off-road vehicles, and from mobile electronics to vehicle accessories.

To promote the new e-motor, Ford has VIDEO: INTRODUCING THE ELUMINATOR E-CRATE MOTOR

TECH GIANT FOXCONN DEBUTS EV MODELS

built a one-off concept, called the F-100 Eluminator – a pretty cool retro-styled machine that has two of the electric motors driving the front and rear wheels and which packs a hefty 358kW/860Nm punch.

“Ford owners have personalised, customised and enhanced their vehicles since the beginning – from changing looks to bringing the power,” said Eric Cin, global director, Vehicle Personalisation, Accessories and Licensing. “Our F-100 Eluminator concept is a preview of how we’re supporting customers as they go all-electric and embrace zero-tailpipe emissions performance, even for our heritage vehicles.”

HON HAI TECHNOLOGY GROUP, better known as electronics contract manufacturer Foxconn, has revealed its intent to join the EV revolution, revealing three electric vehicles - the Model C recreational vehicle, the Model E sedan and the Model T electric bus – at its Hon Hai Tech Day 2021 (HHTD21) event.

The Model C is an SUV and the first model built on the company’s electric vehicle open platform. It is designed to offer comfortable 5+2 seating and plenty of storage space, has a low 0.27 drag coefficient, accelerates from 0 to 100 km in 3.8 seconds and will deliver, the company claims, an extended range of 700km.

The Model E, jointly developed

by Hon Hai and Italian design firm Pininfarina, is a luxury flagship sedan.

Features include rear seat space that can transform into a dedicated mobile office, with personal mobile devices connecting to the car, enabling a series of smart applications such as face recognition door opening, smart windows and vehicle and environment interfaces.

The Model E will offer a power output of about 560kW, reach 100km/h in 2.8 seconds, and have a range of 750km.

That’s impressive.

The Model T is an urban bus which the company says has a range of more than 400km.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 39

Auto innovation news

HYUNDAI MOBIS TO BUILD TWO NEW HYDROGEN FUEL CELL SYSTEM PLANTS

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YUNDAI MOBIS – the South Korean auto parts company that is part of the Hyundai Motor Group – is to build two new hydrogen fuel cell stack plants.

The company has already held a groundbreaking ceremony for one new plant in Incheon in South Korea with the other planned for the city of Ulsan.

The Hyundai Nexo is the world’s best-selling hydrogen fuel cell vehicle The company is to invest a total of $1.1 billion ($AU1.47 billion) into the company is expected to scale its business the two plants with both expected to start mass production in the second half of 2023. to other sectors such as construction machinery and logistics equipment.

When fully operational, the facilities are “Despite uncertainties, including expected to produce 100,000 hydrogen fuel COVID-19, we have decided to make cells each year. this large-scale investment to secure the Once they are completed, Hyundai market-leading competitiveness in the Mobis will operate a total of three global fuel cell industry,” said Sung Hwan fuel cells plants. In 2018, the company Cho, President and CEO of Hyundai established a plant in Chungju which Mobis. “We will continue to invest more in is capable of producing approximately facilities and strengthen our R&D capability 23,000 hydrogen cell systems a year. for the development of the hydrogen Most fuel cell systems produced by Hyundai Mobis are used in fuel cell EVs but industry and expand the ecosystem.”

Hyundai Mobis is to build two new hydrogen fuel cell stack plants

Auto innovation news

GM TO INVEST IN NEXTGEN BATTERY FACILITY

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ENERAL MOTORS IS to build a new facility – to be called the Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center - to expand its battery technology operations and accelerate development and commercialisation of longer range, more affordable electric vehicle batteries. The facility will be located at the company’s Global Technical Center in Michigan in the US. The company says the Center will play a central role in its all-electric future and will be used to integrate the work of GMaffiliated battery innovators, helping the company to reach its goal of at least 60 per cent lower battery costs with the next generation of its Ultium battery system.

GM wants to accelerate new technologies such as lithium-metal, silicon and solidGeneral Motors Battery Research and Development

42 | Motor Trader November 2021

state batteries, along with production methods that can quickly be deployed at battery cell manufacturing plants.

The Wallace Center will include cell test chambers, cell formation chambers, a material synthesis lab where GM can design its own cathode active materials, a slurry mixing and processing lab, a coating room, electrolyte production lab, and a forensics lab with material analysis equipment and advanced software.

A data farm will enable the company’s battery development team to use artificial intelligence in its development work.

The Wallace Center is currently under construction and will be completed in mid-2022. The facility is expected to build its first prototype cells in the fourth quarter of 2022.

VIEW PAST ISSUES OF MOTOR TRADER MAGAZINE AT WWW.MTAQ.COM.AU/PUBLICATIONS

November 2021 Motor Trader | 43 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PAST ISSUES OF MOTOR TRADER

Auto innovation news

HONDA UNVEILS NEW SENSING 360 OMNIDIRECTIONAL SAFETY AND DRIVERASSISTIVE SYSTEM

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ONDA HAS UNVEILED its new SENSING 360 omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system.

Application of the system will begin in 2022 with vehicles introduced in the Chinese market and Honda says it will look to expand the application to all models to go on sale in all major markets by 2030.

The system works via the inclusion of five units of Honda SENSING 360 millimetre-wave radar in front and at each corner of the vehicle, in addition to the camera which is used by the current Honda SENSING. This expanded sensing range covers blind spots around the vehicle.

Key features of the new 360 system include the advancement of Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), which enables the system to assist the driver in a collision with a vehicle in the adjacent the avoidance and mitigation of a collision lane approaching from behind; Active Lane with another vehicle or pedestrian Change Assist that works in conjunction entering an intersection at the same time with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with from different directions; a Front Cross Low-Speed Follow and the Lane Keeping Traffic Warning system that notifies the Assist System (LKAS) activated and assists driver of information about vehicles with steering for the lane change; and approaching to cross the intersection from Cornering Speed Assist which works when the sides and front; Lane Change Collision the ACC is engaged to adjust vehicle speed Mitigation that assists in the avoidance of when cornering on a highway.

HONDA WILL STRIVE TO EXPAND THE APPLICATION TO ALL MODELS TO GO ON SALE IN ALL MAJOR MARKETS BY 2030.

44 | Motor Trader November 2021

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Get Your Trade Skills Recognised Do you have trade skills and experience but no formal qualification?

Trade Recognition Trade Recognition is the process of having your skills and work experience formally assessed against industry and educational requirements for the purpose of gaining a formal trade qualification.

MTA Institute offers a Government Subsidised Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training Program for the following qualifications: • AUR30316 – Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology • AUR30416 – Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology • AUR30616 – Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology • AUR30716 – Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment • AUR30816 – Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology • AUR31016 – Certificate III in Automotive Sales (Parts Interpreting) • AUR31116 – Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology • AUR31216 – Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology

• AUR32116 – Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology • AUR32416 – Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology • AUR32518 – Certificate III in Automotive Underbody Technology

Eligibility Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: i) Aged 21 years or over ii) Have not completed a trade qualification in the same industry area iii) Permanently reside in Queensland iv) Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or hold an eligible visa as identified by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training; or v) Meet any additional eligibility requirements identified through this Initiative and: a. Individuals assessed as demonstrating substantial competency in a prospective trade qualification, who require gap training in no more than 40% of the funded competencies of that Priority Trade Qualification; and b. Express a commitment to gain the entire qualification.

Fee information This program is mostly subsidised by the Queensland Government; however, mandatory student co-contribution fees are applicable for all units requiring gap training.

Course length The course duration will depend upon individual circumstances and the amount of gap training required.

The duration and applicable fees will be advised upon a successful application.

Enrol Training and assessment can be arranged at either MTA Institute’s premises or an approved automotive workplace.

Please refer to www.mtai.edu.au for full details or for further information contact one of our friendly team members using the contact details below.

MTA Institute

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Auto innovation news

ELECTRIC BUS TRIAL HITTING THE ROAD IN SYDNEY

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USTRALIA’S LARGEST ELECTRIC bus fleet is to hit the road in Sydney. The 40-bus fleet, along with charging infrastructure and a retrofitted bus depot, is earmarked for Leichardt in the city’s inner west.

The $37 million project is to be delivered by a joint venture between NSW-based transmission company Transgrid and UK energy company Zenobe, receiving funding and in-kind support from project partners including Transit Systems and Transport for NSW. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is also providing financing of $24.5 million, as is the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to the tune of $5 million.

The aim of the three-year trial is to drive the commercialisation of electric buses in Australia and as part of the project, the Leichhardt depot is being retrofitted to accommodate the 40 electric buses – which will have a combination of 368kWh and 422kWh onboard batteries - with five 120kW electric bus chargers capable of charging two buses at a time, 31 80kW electric bus chargers, 2.5MW/4.9MWh of stationary batteries, and 387kW of rooftop solar PV. The electric bus fleet will service public bus routes in Sydney’s Inner West, the CBD, Mascot and Green Square.

“This project demonstrates the importance of governments and industry working together to reduce emissions in hard to abate sectors like road and transport,” said Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus 46 | Motor Trader November 2021

VIDEO: TRANSGRID AND ZENOBĒ DRIVE NEXT GENERATION ELECTRIC BUS DEPOT IN AUSTRALIA

Taylor in a statement.

“The aim of the pilot is to show the technical and commercial viability of using electric buses travelling a full route without the need to stop to recharge along the way.

“This significant investment will establish the nation’s first fullyintegrated electric bus depot, allowing other fleet operators to better understand commercial implications and make informed choices about new technologies.”

Previous electric bus trials in Australia have involved fewer than four buses each, making this trial important to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of the electrification of large depot-scale bus fleets capable of travelling a complete route without needing to be re-charged.

The first 12 of the 40 new electric buses began to enter service in October, with the rest of the fleet is scheduled to arrive over the next four months.

MTAQ MEMBER SIGNAGE MTA Queensland has developed a series of posters that can be downloaded free of charge for members only. These are signs commonly asked for, and used, in workshops.

R E PA I R N OT I C E

R E PA I R N OT I C E

R E PA I R N OT I C E

WARNING

RIGHT TO RETAIN

QUALIFIED/TRAINED TECHNICIAN

No admittance into the workshop – Staff Only.

We reserve the right to retain your vehicle until payment is made in full.

A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER

A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER

This automotive business guarantees only qualified and trained technicians will be working on your vehicle.

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R E PA I R N OT I C E

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CUSTOMERS RIGHT TO CHOOSE A REPAIRER

CUSTOMER SUPPLIED PARTS

Please note that you, as a consumer, have the legal right to choose who repairs your vehicle.

This automotive business will not install customer supplied parts because it cannot warrant or guarantee the quality, fitment and/ or the intended outcome of fitting these parts.

Independent repairers can complete log book servicing on your vehicle, even while it is under the warranty period, without affecting the manufacturer’s warranty.

A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER

This business is willing and able to diagnose and assess the vehicle’s problem and supply you with competitively priced, high quality parts in order to fix your vehicle.

This will ensure you are provided with all of the warranties and guarantees in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law. A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-IN OR REGISTER FOR ACCESS TO MEMBER SIGNAGE

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Auto innovation news

SEA ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES ORDER FOR 1150 EV TRUCKS

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USTRALIAN-FOUNDED COMPANY SEA Electric, the developer of the electric vehicle power-system technology known as SEA-Drive, has taken a whopping order for more than 1000 SEA Hino M5 EV trucks, the single largest order in the company’s history.

SEA Electric’s zero-emissions trucks will feature the SEA-Drive Power System offering a 1500Nm electric motor in combination with a 138kWh battery pack that delivers a range up to 320km.

The deal will see the company’s electric trucks delivered to GATR EV, a division of GATR Truck Centers which has five dealerships across the US states of Iowa and Minnesota, and which currently has an e-commerce system in development to sell purely electric vehicles. GATR has a partnership with Merchants Fleet - a fleet management company – which itself has

48 | Motor Trader November 2021

“THIS IS OUR FIRST FOURDIGIT ORDER, AND IT COMES IN A NON-INCENTIVE STATE, WHICH PROVES THAT COMMERCIAL EV SOLUTIONS CAN EXPAND IN AREAS WITH NO INCENTIVES, WHILE ALL CORNERS OF THE MARKET ARE SEEKING PREMIUM EV SOLUTIONS.” committed more than $2 billion ($AU2.68 billion) toward having 50 percent of its mobility fleet electric by 2025 and 50 per cent of its clients’ fleet electric by 2030.

“This is our first four-digit order, and it comes in a non-incentive state, which proves that commercial EV solutions can expand in areas with no incentives, while

LAMBORGHINI ACCELERATES PATH TO DECARBONISATION

all corners of the market are seeking premium EV solutions,” said Nick Casas, SEA Electric Vice President of Sales & Marketing in the US. The first 40 vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of December 2021, with the remaining vehicles to be delivered throughout 2022.

ALL INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING the automotive industry, continue to search for ways to lower their carbon footprint, embrace sustainability and become more environmentally friendly.

With such goals in mind, Lamborghini has announced that it is implementing a biomethane installation to power its Sant’Agata Bolognese site in Italy.

The company says that the system will deliver nearly four million cubic metres per year, equating to around 65 per cent of its gas requirements, and will enable a reduction in CO2 emissions from the current 37 per cent to around 80 per cent, equivalent to a total of more than 11,000 tons of CO2 per year.

The installation is one of many projects focused on going green and sustainability that Lamborghini has undertaken in recent times – including tree-planting, sustainable logistics, and photovoltaic plant projects – and the company has, of course, announced that it is to embrace electrification of its model line-up and produce only hybrid-electric and all-electric cars in the future.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 49

Auto innovation news

DAIMLER TRUCK AND BP TO PARTNER ON UK HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE

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UPPORT FOR HYDROGEN fuel-cell vehicles – particularly in the heavy vehicle sector - continues apace overseas, with energy giant bp and Daimler Truck AG announcing they are to work together to help accelerate the introduction of a hydrogen network in the UK. The companies say they intend to pilot both the development of hydrogen infrastructure and the introduction of hydrogenpowered fuel-cell trucks.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), bp will assess the feasibility of designing, constructing, operating and supplying a network of up to 25 hydrogen refuelling stations across the UK by 2030.

These stations would be supplied by bp with ‘green’ hydrogen – generated from water using renewable power.

Daimler Truck says it expects to deliver hydrogen-powered fuel-cell trucks to its UK customers from 2025. Currently, Daimler Truck is also testing a new enhanced prototype of its MercedesBenz GenH2 Truck on public roads in Germany. The first series-produced GenH2 Trucks are expected to be handed over to customers starting in 2027.

Daimler Truck says it has a preference

50 | Motor Trader November 2021

for liquid hydrogen, which allows for smaller, lighter tanks, giving the trucks more cargo space and a higher payload.

At the same time, more hydrogen can be carried, which significantly increases the trucks’ range. This, the company says, will make the series version of the GenH2 Truck, like conventional diesel trucks, suitable for multi-day, difficult-to-plan long-haul transport.

“We are consistently pursuing our vision of CO2-neutral transport,” said Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Member of the Board of Management at Daimler Truck. “Especially for CO2neutral long-haul road transportation, the hydrogen-powered fuel-cell drive will become indispensable in the future.”

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DOUBLE-O HEAVEN: TH T

HIS MONTH SEES the release in Australia of the latest James Bond cinematic epic, No Time To Die. No doubt it will be full of action and intrigue, and it will likely do decent business here in Australia, just as it has in the countries in which it has already been released.

As with all Bond movies, there are 52 | Motor Trader October 2021

plenty of big-name stars in the film, but one of the biggest names - and a name that has been associated with the Bond series since the third film, Goldfinger, in 1964 doesn’t belong to a human actor at all.

And that name would, of course, be Martin . . . Aston Martin.

For many people, Aston Martin is inextricably linked with James Bond.

HE ASTON MARTIN DB5 FOR MANY PEOPLE, ASTON MARTIN IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED WITH JAMES BOND. BUT WHILE THE SUAVE BRITISH SPY MAY BE FICTITIOUS, THE CARS MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT . . .

But while the suave British spy may be fictitious, the cars most certainly are not, and in the 59 years since the Bond series began (and there have been 27 movies in that time) a number of fantastic cars from the British luxury carmaker’s stable have featured prominently in a handful of the movies.

There was the magnificent DBS driven

November 2021 Motor Trader | 53

by the Aussie 007 George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), while Timothy Dalton gave the V8 Vantage Volante a go in The Living Daylights (1987). Pierce Brosnan got to dart about in the V12 Vanquish in Die Another Day (2002), while Daniel Craig has been spoiled rotten getting to drive the DBS V12 in Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), as well as the DB10 in Spectre (2015).

Aston Martin will play quite a role in No Time To Die as well, with four of the company’s cars apparently making an appearance, including the 1987 Vantage, the new DBS, and the company’s sparkling new toy, the hybrid Valhalla supercar.

Also to grace the screen – and it has been front and centre in the film’s trailer – is the DB5, the most iconic of all James Bond cars.

It has popped up in quite a few of the 007 movies over the years - having first

54 | Motor Trader October 2021

appeared in Goldfinger in 1964 - and, let’s be honest, it is a pleasure to see the car, resplendent in its silver-birch paint job, whenever it roars into shot on screen.

There’s little doubt the DB5’s association with the Bond films has made it a popculture icon, but what is going on under that beautiful body? If we forget about all the made-for-the-movies gizmos and gadgetry such as hidden machine guns, ejector seats, rotating number plates, what car do we have here?

VIDEO: ASTON MARTIN DB5 AND 007 - A SPECIAL BOND

THE UPGRADED ENGINE GAVE THE DB5 SOME DECENT PERFORMANCE FIGURES. POWER CAME IN AT 210KW AND 0-60MPH (96.5KM/H) WAS COMPLETED IN 7.1 SECONDS WITH TOP SPEED A VERY TIDY 142MPH (228.5KM/H).

To find out, we have to go back to the early 1960s and Aston Martin’s decision to replace the excellent DB4, which it had started producing in 1958.

The company clearly liked the exterior of the DB4, (the DB designation, by the way, is a reference David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin at the time) and the DB5 – a two-door Grand Tourer with a 2+2 seating configuration and a front engine, rear-wheel drive set-up - resembles its

predecessor very closely indeed.

The new car had essentially the same body as the DB4 – a body that had been designed by famed Italian coachbuilding firm Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera and was constructed of aluminium panels over a steel frame body.

It was under the skin that the differences between the two models was most apparent. While both the DB4 and DB5 had a DOHC straight six engine, the DB5’s had been beefed up from a 3.7-litre to a 4-litre unit by increasing the bore to 96mm, and modifications included new valve covers, exhaust manifolds, a bigger air filter, a Lucas alternator to help run the more sophisticated electrical system and three SU carburettors.

The DB5 was also available with a full synchromesh ZF five-speed gearbox or a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic set-up. Suspension included double October 2021 Motor Trader | 55

XXXX.

wishbones at the front with telescopic shock absorbers and a live rear axle and double acting lever arm shock absorbers at the rear. There also were Girling Twin servo assisted brakes with front and rear solid discs, and 15-inch chrome wire wheels.

The upgraded engine gave the DB5 some decent performance figures. Power came in at 210kW and 0-60mph (96.5km/h) was completed in 7.1 seconds with top speed a very tidy 142mph (228.5km/h).

On the inside, luxury was the name of the game. Leather was everywhere, as were wool pile carpets, and there were reclining seats, a seven-gauge dash, electric windows, tinted glass, and a beautiful wood-trim three-spoke steering wheel.

The base model – if we can use such a word for the DB5 – was joined by a highperformance Vantage, introduced in 1965 and which got a number of improvements, including an upgraded 234kW engine and camshafts, and triple-Weber carburettors.

Also available was a convertible (which picked up the ‘Volante’ name in 1965), and a ‘shooting brake’ (station wagon to you and me) version.

56 | Motor Trader October 2021

LITTLE WONDER THAT WITH THE DB5 BEING SO RARE - AND THOSE THAT ARE AVAILABLE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER BY COLLECTORS YOU’D BE HARD PRESSED TODAY TO BUY ONE UNLESS YOU HAD A COOL $1 MILLION OR MORE LYING AROUND. The DB5 had some serious competition during its production years of 1963-1965.

Grand Tourers of the time – in two-seat and 2+2 configurations – included the wonderful Jaguar E-Type and the Maserati 3500 GTi, while Ferrari had the 250 GT Lusso (and more in the pipeline), and even Lamborghini showed up in 1964 with its first production car – the 3.5-litre, V12powered 350 GT. All these, and others too, were terrific cars, but there’s something about the DB5 that seems to make it just that little bit extra special.

Just over 1000 DB5s were made. Around 900 of these were the coupes - of which 80

were Vantage versions - and another 120 or so were convertibles. Just 12 ‘shooting brake’ models were built. Little wonder that with the DB5 being so rare - and those that are available much sought after by collectors - you’d be hard pressed today to buy one unless you had a cool $1 million or

more lying around.

Having said that, they were never cheap.

The original 1963 sale price was £4,175, which sounds like a bargain until you realise that the average house price in England that year was around £3,000!

The DB5 was replaced by the DB6 in 1965, but it found everlasting fame through its association with James Bond and in 2018, Aston Martin announced it would produce 25 ‘continuation’ DB5s – faithful versions of the original Goldfinger model, complete with spy gadgets. The cost? Reportedly around the $5 million mark.

So, owning a DB5 – of any era – is out of range for all but the truly wealthy.

That’s not really a surprise for a car built in limited numbers, is beautiful to look at, and is an icon of both the automotive world and of pop culture in general.

However, it is easy enough to imagine, when watching Bond at the wheel and cruising the streets of Monte Carlo and the French Riviera, that the feeling of driving one would be very special indeed.

Special enough, perhaps, to leave you both shaken and stirred.

The DB5 was the first James Bond Aston Martin, driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger

Auto news

FORD FOCUS ST RECEIVES UPGRADES IN TECH, STYLE AND INTERIOR

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ORD HAS REVEALED the refreshed Focus ST, developed by Ford Performance, and also announced that the Focus line-up in Australia will consist only of the Focus ST hot hatch range, including the ST and premium ST X. There is plenty to like about the update.

There’s a new exterior styling and alloy wheel design, a tasty Mean Green paint option and all-new Performance Seats.

Powering the ST is the 2.3-litre twinscroll turbocharged EcoBoost engine, delivering 206kW and 420Nm of torque.

A seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters is standard, while a six-speed manual gearbox is a no-cost option.

Further high-performance driving technologies include an electronic limited-slip differential and Continuously Controlled Damping. The Focus ST X also features new Pixel LED headlights,

58 | Motor Trader November 2021

along with 19-inch alloy wheels and an additional Track mode within the selectable Drive Modes.

The updated model introduces Ford’s next-generation SYNC 4 technology, enabling embedded connected navigation and connected voice control with natural language understanding. Control for many features comes via a massive 13.2inch landscape centre screen. The new touchscreen incorporates controls for functions such as heating and ventilation that were previously activated using physical buttons, resulting in a less cluttered centre console. The system also delivers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Using the FordPass app, a range of connected services can be accessed using a smartphone, allowing the customer to stay connected and utilise features

Ford Focus ST

such as Vehicle Status – for checking fuel levels, odometer readings and more – and Remote Start.

Exterior design changes include honeycomb upper and lower front grilles, large side vents, side skirts and aerodynamically optimised spoilers on the lower fascia and rear roof. A new design of 18 inch alloy wheel is standard on Focus ST, with 19-inch wheels offered on the Focus ST X. Inside, there are all-new Performance front seats, developed in-house by Ford Performance engineers, and the driver gets

14-way power adjustment, including fourway adjustable lumbar support.

There’s a new bonnet design, new LED headlights that include integrated fog light functionality, and LED taillights that feature a new internal design and loop light pattern.

The premium Focus ST X model will feature advanced lighting technologies, with Dynamic Pixel LED headlamps.

Driver Assist and safety features include New Intersection Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring, Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking and Rear Occupant Alert.

Ford says its decision that the Focus line-up in Australia consist only of the Focus ST hot hatch range, is a reflection of a changing market - one that the company says has seen the small car segment decline significantly over the past seven years, while hot hatch sales have tripled.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 59

Auto news

Haval H6 Hybrid

NEW HAVAL H6 HYBRID TO ARRIVE IN EARLY 2022

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AVAL IS TO expand its range of SUVs in Australia next year.

The company - that manufactures the Jolion, the H6 and the full-size H9 SUV that are available in Australia, and which is owned by Great Wall Motors (GWM) – will introduce an all-new H6 Hybrid to its portfolio early next year. The Hybrid is, the company says, its most advanced SUV ever, and will be the first model in its Australian line-up to feature a new-energy drivetrain tech.

Powered by a 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine mated to a two-speed 130kW electric drive motor, the Haval H6 Hybrid will offer a decent 179kW and 530Nm. Front Wheel Drive will be mated to GWM’s new Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT), and the H6 Hybrid will, the company says, sip 60 | Motor Trader November 2021

POWERED BY A 1.5 LITRE TURBO PETROL ENGINE MATED TO A TWOSPEED 130KW ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTOR, THE HAVAL H6 HYBRID WILL OFFER A DECENT 179KW AND 530NM.

just 5.2 litres of regular unleaded for every 100km covered.

Production of the new Haval H6 Hybrid commenced at GWM’s plant in Rayong, Thailand, in June.

The version bound for Australia will be sourced from China.

The H6 Hybrid will be covered by the same 7-year unlimited km warranty as all GWM vehicles in addition to 5 years roadside assistance.

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Auto news

Hyundai IONIQ 5

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 EV SPARKS PLENTY OF INTEREST ON LOCAL MARKET DEBUT

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HE IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s first dedicated battery electric model, went on sale in Australia last month and, according to reports, all units made available here were sold out in hours.

OK, only 240 units were available, but that still does seem to indicate an appetite in the local market for decent, interestingly designed EVs. The EV market would, no doubt, be booming if more brands would/ could get their models here.

So what are the IONIQ 5 owners getting their hands on? Well, outwardly, they are getting a very smart-looking vehicle – Hyundai really do have an outstanding design department these days. And underneath that very stylish exterior, some very clever, high-tech, stuff is going on.

Built on the company’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), IONIQ 5 is available in one flagship grade, with the option of a rear-wheel-drive (RWD)

62 | Motor Trader November 2021

variant, powered by a 160kW/350Nm motor, or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) combining a 155kW/350Nm motor at the rear with a 70kW/255Nm motor up front. Both versions come with a 72.6kWh battery pack that delivers 451km of range for the 2WD and 430km for the AWD. The E-GMP architecture can support both 400V and 800V charging infrastructures. This means DC fast charging of up to 350kW is available, enabling a 10-80 per cent charge in less than 18 minutes. A five-minute charge can provide 100km of range. Standard AC plugin charging from 10-80 per cent comes in at a smidge over 6 hours.

There’s a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature that uses the vehicle battery to provide an external power source. This can be used to charge an array of electric devices from scooters to camping equipment. The V2L function can also provide Vehicle-To-

Vehicle (V2V) charging via the portable emergency charging cable.

Performance is excellent beyond the range numbers. Top speed for the 2WD variant is 185km/h, and 0-100km/h can be done in 7.4 seconds. The 4WD has the same top speed, but 100km/h can be reached in a swift 5.2 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, the IONIQ 5 comes jampacked with features, including Normal, Eco, Sport & Snow Drive Modes. Normal mode is optimised for a typical driver for most road conditions; Eco mode is designed to maximise energy efficiency; Sport mode offers increased steering weight, sharper throttle response and torque delivery; and Snow mode optimises traction to suit the prevailing conditions.

Tech features on the inside include panoramic view twin 12.3-inch displays that bring together all the driving and operating info into a high-tech layout.

The infotainment touchscreen is mounted centrally and high on the dashboard to let the driver easily view and access multimedia, climate control and electric vehicle information.

This new system features an array of functionalities, including DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Bluetooth multi-connection, USB multimedia input, and Satellite Navigation.

The satellite navigation system has charging stations programmed in, allowing route planning and range calculation, as well as graphical representations of November 2021 Motor Trader | 63

vehicle range and charging station locations on the map screen.

There’s also a 15W high-speed wireless charger located in the centre console for charging the latest smartphones which incorporates a cooling fan function that can prevent phones from overheating.

Power outlets are dotted throughout the cabin. The centre console features two USB-A power outlets for front occupants, and two USB-A outlets at the rear for second-row passengers. In addition, there are 12V power outlets in the front lower console and the cargo area.

The list of advanced driver assistance features is long, and includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear CrossTraffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Assist . . . the list goes on and is comprehensive.

Occupants should be kept comfy by the IONIQ 5’s seating. Up front, there are 12way electrically adjustable seats - including two-way power adjustable lumbar and two-way power adjustable leg support.

Rear seat passengers also benefit from a two-way electrically adjustable memory seat and manually reclining backrest.

There’s a proximity Smart Key on the

64 | Motor Trader November 2021

SO WHAT ARE THE IONIQ 5 OWNERS GETTING THEIR HANDS ON? WELL, OUTWARDLY, THEY ARE GETTING A VERY SMART-LOOKING VEHICLE – HYUNDAI REALLY DO HAVE AN OUTSTANDING DESIGN DEPARTMENT THESE DAYS. IONIQ 5, and power operated door handles featuring an approach open and unlock function, which automatically unlocks and opens the door handles when the Smart Key is detected. The Smart Key remote can also operate the Remote Start and Remote Smart Park Assist functions, and open/ close the power operated charge port door.

There’s also a ‘Vision’ roof with a poweroperated sunshade, and ambient mood lighting. Illuminated areas include the door armrests and the lower door speaker surrounds. Up to 10 preset colours can be selected, and there are a further 64 custom colours to choose from. The ambient lighting can be linked to the Drive Mode selected, and can be set to dim while driving to enhance in-cabin safety.

The IONIQ 5 is priced at $71,900 for the RWD model, with the AWD priced at $75,900.

PEUGEOT AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES 3008 AND 508 PHEV VARIANTS

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LUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC variants (PHEV) of Peugeot’s 3008 SUV and 508 Fastback models will be available in Australia in the first quarter of next year. The models mark the brand’s first electrified variants in the local market.

The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid AWD offers 222kW of power from a combination of a 147kW PureTech engine and two electric motors – one at the front developing 81kW and the second at the rear developing 83kW. There’s a 12.2kWh providing the electric energy and the 3008 is, Peugeot says, capable of 60km of electric driving range, which is a very solid number.

There will be top-notch safety, tech and design features, including a 12.3inch digital instrument panel, 10-inch high-definition touchscreen, 19-inch

‘Washington’ onyx black finish diamond cut alloy wheels, and full grain Nappa leather appointed trim.

The Peugeot 508 GT Fastback Plug-in Hybrid delivers 165kW from its 133kW engine and 81kW electric motor combo.

Its 11.8kWh battery delivers 55km of electric-only driving range.

Like the 3008 GT Sport PHEV, the 508 GT Fastback will be fully loaded with goodies and tasty features, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 10-inch high-def touchscreen, 18-inch two-tone diamond cut alloy wheels, and Nappa mistral full grain leather seat trim.

Full specs for both models will be available closer to launch, but the 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid AWD is set to go on sale for $79,990, while the 508 GT Fastback Plug-in Hybrid will be priced at $76,990.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 65

Auto news

ENHANCED BMW M135I XDRIVE HOT HATCH TO ARRIVE IN 2022

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MW HAS GIVEN the M135i xDrive a comprehensive update and will begin deliveries of the upgraded model in the first quarter of next year.

The all-wheel-drive, hot hatch - which has an eightspeed auto transmission and is powered by a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 225kW and 450Nm – will have a new suspension

BMW M135i xDrive

and chassis set-up, including recalibration of spring and damping systems, designed to contribute to ‘a significant improvement in roll behaviour in corners and a beneficial effect on steering feel’ and ‘create a composed overall package for a richly engaging drive’.

Specially tuned M Sport steering and M Sport brakes can be found on the standard

equipment list, while Australiandelivered models are fitted with 19-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard.

Interesting features include the transmission of the sound of the model’s twin-tailpipe exhaust system. BMW says the distinctive sound is amplified through the car’s audio system’s speakers and that even starting the engine ‘prompts a sound composition specially created for the M135i xDrive’.

A new paint palette has been introduced to accompany the other

enhancements, and BMW Individual paint finishes, and special customer requests can also now be incorporated into the manufacturing process.

New additions to the range of exterior colours include the M paint shade Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic, as well as Frozen Orange metallic and Frozen Pure Grey.

Pricing and other information on the 2022 M135i xDrive are to be confirmed closer to its expected arrival in Australia at the beginning of next year.

AUSTRALIAN AUTO AFTERMARKET EXPO

THE WORKSHOP OF THE FUTURE IS HERE >

NEW VEHICLE SALES DIP IN OCTOBER

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HE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE market recorded sales of 74,650 new vehicles in October according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

That number represents an 8.1 per cent decrease on the October 2020 figures – a result the FCAI puts down to the impact of ongoing microprocessor shortages on international supply chains. The supply of vehicles to Australia, it says, is expected to stabilise in 2022.

As a comparison, the sales numbers in October 2020 were 81,220, which was a 1.5 per cent drop from the pre-COVID days of October 2019. Toward the end of 2020, the market was experiencing a major comeback after some truly shocking results in the second and third quarters of a COVID-ravaged 2020.

Sales in Queensland for October 2021 dropped by 10.3 per cent over October 2020.

68 | Motor Trader November 2021

“YEAR-TO-DATE COMPARISON FIGURES ARE SOLID, HOWEVER. AT THIS POINT IN 2020, NEW VEHICLE SALES HAD REACHED 726,111. SO FAR THIS YEAR, 890,790 NEW VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SOLD.” Sales in the Australian Capital Territory were down 22.3 per cent, down 15.4 per cent in Western Australia, and down 12.4 per cent in the Northern Territory. NSW recorded a fall of 12.2 per cent, South Australian figures were down 11.9 per cent, and Tasmania recorded a decrease of 1.6 per cent compared to the same month last year. Victoria managed an of 6.3 per cent on last year’s figures.

Year-to-date comparison figures are solid, however. At this point in 2020, new vehicle sales had reached 726,111. So far this year,

890,790 new vehicles have been sold.

“Automotive manufacturers like all those in the global manufacturing sector are dealing with a microprocessor shortage which is leading to longer wait times to get products to market,” said Tony Weber, FCAI Chief Executive, in a statement.

“Australians are continuing to purchase vehicles, and car makers are working to deliver products to our shores.”

While sales were down overall, the number of electric vehicles sold continues to rise. According to the results, passenger EV car sales were up over 10 per cent in October and are now up 66.4 per cent for the year.

Toyota was the market leader in October with 15,395 vehicles sold. This was followed by Hyundai with 6,115 and Ford with 5,462. Mazda was fourth place selling 5,181 cars and Kia came in fifth with 4,853.

The Ford Ranger was the highest selling model with 4,135 sold. The Toyota Hi-Lux came in second with 3,961 and the Toyota Landcruiser was third with 2,031 vehicles in the hands of customers. This was followed by the Toyota Corolla with 1,989 sold, and the Hyundai i30 with 1,946 sold.

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November 2021 Motor Trader | 69

ZEEKR 001 GOES INTO PRODUCTION

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HE ELECTRIC VEHICLE landscape seems to get more and more interesting every day, with new and exciting cars, offering ever-better range and performance, popping up on the horizon with increasing frequency.

Back in May, Motor Trader reported on some of those vehicles that appeared at the Shanghai Auto Show, and chief among them was the Swedish-designed ZEEKR 001 – an oddly named but really compelling entrant from ZEEKR, the pure electric premium brand of Geely Holding Group, the Chinese parent company of Volvo and Lotus, amongst others.

VIDEO: THE ZEEKR 001

Late last month, the company announced that the first production-ready ZEEKR 001 had rolled off manufacturing line at its factory Ningbo, China, and the really attractive car looks like a winner.

Based on Geely Holding Group’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), the vehicle has 400kW of power with max torque of 768Nm sent through a twin motor system - one on the front axles and one on the rear. Performance is cracking, with 0-100km/h covered in 3.8 seconds. Top speed will reportedly be over 200km/h.

Fast charging is available, of course.

ZEEKR plans to introduce a charging network in China offering charging speeds up to 360kW. That will see the car’s 100kWh Z-Battery charged from 10 to 80 per cent within 30 minutes, delivering a range boost of 120km after just five minutes of charging.

ZEEKR has said that the car offers some quality features, including air suspension that automatically adjusts ground clearance from

117mm to 205mm based on user requirements. Software and technology will, the company added, allow the 001 to automatically detect approaching users via facial recognition and adjust the 001’s settings to their personal preferences. The 001 will also be able to receive over-the-air updates.

First deliveries of the ZEEKR 001 are expected now across ZEEKR Experience Centres and ZEEKR Spaces in China. The company opened its first ZEEKR Spaces last month in Hangzhou and Tianjin, with 10 more to come online imminently. It has also committed to open those ultrafast 360kW charging stations in 10 cities by the end of the year. There will also be third party charging stations available for users across 272 cities in China.

China is, of course, ZEEKR’s first market, but Geely has expansion plans and one can only hope the ZEEKR 001 will make its way to Australia at some point.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 71

Auto news

HERTZ TO INVEST IN 100,000 TESLA EVs FOR ITS RENTAL FLEET

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CTOBER WAS A big month for the electric vehicle (EV) sector with news that Hertz, the global car rental company, placed an order for 100,000 Tesla electric cars for its fleet in North America. The investment in the electrification of part of its fleet– value undisclosed but no doubt absolutely huge – will also include a new EV charging infrastructure across the company’s global operations. The vehicle order is scheduled to be met by the end of 2022.

“Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we’ve only just begun to see rising global demand and interest,” said Mark Fields, Hertz interim CEO. “The new Hertz is going to lead the way as a mobility company, starting with the largest EV rental fleet in North America and a

72 | Motor Trader November 2021

commitment to grow our EV fleet and provide the best rental and recharging experience for leisure and business customers around the world.”

Beginning in early November and expanding through the end of the year, Hertz says its customers will be able to rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz airport and neighbourhood locations in U.S. major markets and select cities in Europe.

With the order, EVs will comprise more than 20 per cent of Hertz’ global fleet and is expected to be supported by a combination of Level 2 and DC fast charging in approximately 65 markets by the end of 2022 and more than 100 markets by the end of 2023. Hertz said these ambitions could be affected by factors outside of Hertz’s control, such as semiconductor

ALL-NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER TO ARRIVE IN 2022

chip shortages or other constraints.

This is a whopper of a deal and one that, for Hertz, marks an incredible turnaround.

It was only in June this year that the company in the U.S. emerged from a 2020 bankruptcy brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting fall in the public’s travel and leisure plans.

It is also a deal that, for those interested in such things, gave Tesla’s shares a big boost and, as consequence, increased the quite phenomenal wealth of the company’s boss, Elon Musk. It has been reported that following the announcement of the deal, Tesla’s value rose above the $1 trillion ($AU1.3 trillion) mark, with Musk finding himself perched atop a personal fortune somewhere in the region of $280 billion ($AU373 billion). Astonishing.

Hertz said in a statement that the growth of the EV market, the commitment by the industry to boost EV sales, and research that revealed 40 per cent of U.S. consumers say they are likely to consider an electric vehicle the next time they are in the market for a new vehicle, were considerations in making the deal.

The company says it will offer a premium and differentiated rental experience for the Tesla EVs. This includes digitised guidance to educate customers about the electric vehicle to get them on their way quickly, and an expedited EV rental booking process through the Hertz mobile app.

NISSAN’S ICONIC LARGE SUV will be available in its new guise locally next year, and the new model introduces a host of new technologies, an all-new nine-speed transmission, and debuts a customisable seating configuration that can be delivered with eight seats, or with second-row captain’s chairs.

There’s a distinctive new design too that includes a V-motion grille with a three-slot grille incorporated as an homage to the original Pathfinder, C-shaped headlights and floating roofline. Standard LED headlights include slim upper Daytime Running Lights, and the C-pillar has a structural SUV look that allows the use of twotone paint – a first for Pathfinder.

At the rear, the wide-aspect LED taillights are slimmer than the previous design, with the ‘boxed out’ tailgate harks back to the first Pathfinder.

A total of 11 colour combinations will be offered, including four new two-tone treatments.

Power comes from a 3.5-litre Direct Injection V6 engine, matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

All 4WD drive models feature Nissan’s Intelligent 4WD with seven-position Drive and Terrain Mode Selector.

An all-new infotainment system features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging pad, and digital Intelligent Around View Monitor.

Nissan Pathfinder

November 2021 Motor Trader | 73

Auto news

Toyota bZ4X SUV

TOYOTA REVEALS DETAILS OF ITS BZ4X ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUV

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OYOTA HAS JOINED the growing number of companies with batteryelectric vehicle plans and production models in place with its bZ4X SUV. Unveiled earlier this year as a concept at the Shanghai Auto Show, the production bZ4X looks unchanged from that version – which is to say it is a very smart-looking vehicle indeed.

Built on a new electric vehicle-dedicated e-TNGA platform developed in partnership with Subaru, the bZ4X (the bZ stands for Beyond Zero) is the first of a range of electric models the Japanese carmaker will produce, and it has some sharp features that indicate Toyota’s EV future offerings will be very attractive.

To be on sale in all regions from mid2022, the bZ4x will be either front-wheeldrive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD). The FWD version will have a 150kW electric motor while the AWD will have an 80kW motor on each axle. Both versions will come with a 71.4kWh battery that in the 74 | Motor Trader November 2021

VIDEO: TOYOTA BZ

FWD will offer 500km of range, and 460km in the AWD. DC fast charging is available, set at 150kW which enables an 80 per cent charge to be completed in 30 minutes.

Performance-wise, the FWD can reach 100km/k in 8.4 seconds, while the AWD can reach the same mark in 7.7 seconds.

A rather nice feature is the optional solar roof which, the company says, can deliver as much as 1800km of additional driving charge over one year. Vehicle-to-home charging is also available.

Another interesting touch is the steering

PERFORMANCE-WISE, THE FWD CAN REACH 100KM/K IN 8.4 SECONDS, WHILE THE AWD CAN REACH THE SAME MARK IN 7.7 SECONDS. wheel. Two options will be available – a regular circular wheel or a much more futuristic aeroplane-style ‘yoke’, and some models will adopt a steer-by-wire system (where there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and tyres) which will allow for a lock-to-lock movement of around 150 degrees, meaning no need to change grip.

There was little doubt the production bZ4x would come fully loaded with decent technology, and amongst all the features is an infotainment system

that will access specialised services such as driving support, charging station display, driving support display, and driving range display. There’s an enhanced voice-recognition function, Over-the-Air software updates, and a Digital Key which will allow users with a smartphone to lock, unlock and start the vehicle’s systems.

The latest iteration of the Toyota Safety Sense system, with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features, will be available too.

Toyota has previously said that by 2025 it will have around 70 models of electrified vehicles, including hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell, and battery-electric vehicles. If this is there first shot at the pure-electric market, things look good for the company and the consumer.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 75

Workplace relations ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (IS TO AVOID A LAWSUIT): A CHRISTMAS PARTY PLANNING GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS EMPLOYERS HAVE AN obligation to provide a IAN NAYLOR safe workplace to their SENIOR WORKPLACE employees, even at social RELATIONS ADVISOR events like your annual Christmas party or client function.

Employees have obligations to act in an appropriate manner while in the workplace and many employment contracts will require compliance with company policies and procedures. Failure to maintain appropriate behaviour can, and does, lead to disciplinary action including termination of employment. However, as an employer, you may also be liable for your employee’s misbehaviour and face claims against your business.

Inappropriate behaviour from employees can result in a claim against your business in relation to sexual harassment, bullying, or failing to provide a safe workplace. Failure to properly deal with misbehaving employees may also result in unfair dismissal or discrimination claims against an employer.

Tips For Employers When Planning A Christmas Party • It is important to start putting in place strategies now, at the planning stage, to ensure that your Christmas party goes off without a hitch.

Employers should ensure that they: • Have appropriate policies and procedures, and remind all employees of their obligations under those policies. It might even be time to arrange “refresher” training on these policies in the lead up to December.

• Clearly inform staff when the party will start and end and make suitable arrangements (where appropriate) for transportation to and from the event.

• Ensure responsible service of alcohol and that plans are in place to deal with employees who over-imbibe.

• Keep in mind that not all employees may wish to celebrate the festive season, or be involved in the Christmas party.

76 | Motor Trader November 2021

CLICK TO VISIT THE MTAQ MEMBER PORTAL

So Despite All That Planning, An Incident Occurred - What Do We Do? Before making a decision about any disciplinary action, you should undertake an investigation into the incident to determine what happened. This may not be necessary where criminal proceedings have resulted in a “guilty” finding or admission.

During this process, you may stand the employee down, however, the employee must continue to receive their usual pay during this period (including for any public holidays during that period). The employee should be provided with notice of any allegations in writing and provided with a reasonable opportunity to respond. Any witnesses should also be interviewed and informed that the process is confidential.

Depending on the seriousness of the incident, you may choose: • Summary dismissal (termination of employment immediately); • Dismissal with notice, • To issue a warning; • The implementation of training or performance management; • To require the employee to apologise; • To make a note on the employee’s personnel file.

If the decision is made to terminate employment, best practice requires you to issue a ‘show cause’ notice asking you to demonstrate why employment should not be terminated before a final decision is made.

Following this process will minimise the risks of an employee claiming that you have terminated their employment unfairly. It is important that one of the reasons for your decision does not include their age, race, disability, family obligations, or another discriminatory reason, as this may entitle an employee to still make a claim against you, even if they had a slip-up at your work Christmas party.

• [ Source – HHG legal Group – Authors Murray Thornhill and Gemma Wheeler-Carver article published 19 October 2021] • This is provided as general information only. For more detailed and comprehensive industrial relations advice, you should contact the workplace relations advisors at 3237 8777.

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

77 | Motor Trader September 2020

November 2021 Motor Trader | 77

OUR VISION IS TO BE QUEENSLAND’S MOST TRUSTED, INFLUENTIAL & ENGAGED INDUSTRY BODY The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is the peak organisation in the state representing the specific interests of businesses in the retail, repair & service sectors of the automotive industry.

Member benefits include: Advocacy MTA Queensland makes representations to state and federal governments on the BIG issues affecting your business and industry.

Services Our members can utilise free Workplace Relations advice and Consumer Complaint support; access a cost-effective website building service and, through our self-service Member Portal, access information regarding wages & awards, health & safety, public holidays and more. There also is a FREE-to-use online Jobs Board platform to advertise open positions, plus discounted signage & stationery products are available through the online MTA Queensland shop.

Training The MTA Institute (RTO 31529) is the awardwinning, leading provider of automotive training and apprenticeships in Queensland. Course & training options include: • Apprenticeships • Traineeships • Skills Recognition • Automotive Licensing • Short Automotive Courses (including some which attract a 20% discount for members) • Pre-apprenticehips

Support Members can take advantage of a wide range of services & benefits, including: •B anking, insurance, payment options, legal advice and workplace health & safety compliance advice, offered by our Corporate Partners.

• A library of small business resources.

• A Weekly Industry Bulletin containing updates on industry news and events, workplace relations, divisional updates and training courses.

•C omprehensive webinar and micro-credential program (coming soon).

•M onthly subscription to the Motor Trader e-magazine and free business profiling.

•S avings and discounts from a range of industry stakeholders.

• I nvitations to industry signature events Industry Awards Gala, Golf Day, and Carmageddon.

Innovation Stay at the front of cutting-edge information and business solutions connected to the automotive digital revolution with access to events and MTAiQ – Australia’s first automotive innovation hub which is a facility offering an eco-system that supports innovation in the motor trades.

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Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains www.mtaq.com.au | info@mtaq.com.au (07) 3237 8777

M E M B E R S

MTA Institute News

E S S E N T I A L S

PAUL KULPA GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE

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Services include: • Literacy/Numeracy and Life Skills Programs • Financial Wellness Programs • Mental Health Services • Health Programs • Workplace Resources • Relationship Support • Professional Communication • Text to Speech Support All this information is free and is there to help.

All the best. Until next time.

November 2021 Motor Trader | 79

E S S E N T I A L S

IT’S GREAT TO SEE THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IT WILL CONTINUE ITS WAGE SUBSIDY SUPPORT TO APPRENTICES HIRED UNDER THE BOOSTING APPRENTICESHIP COMMENCEMENTS (BAC) PROGRAM.

M E M B E R S

T’S GREAT TO SEE the Australian Government announced it will continue its wage subsidy support to apprentices hired under the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) program. The BAC program provides a 50 per cent wage subsidy in the first 12 months of an apprentice’s employment. Businesses have until 31st March 2022 to benefit from this program.

Further welcome news for business is the introduction of the new Completing Apprenticeship Commencements (CAC) program where businesses can claim a 10 per cent subsidy in the second year of their apprentices’ employ, and a 5 per cent subsidy in their third year. The MTA Institute continues to support this initiative and for further details please see https://www.dese.gov.au/boostingapprenticeship-commencements The MTA Institute has always endeavored to provide reasonable support to each and every student and employer we deal with in Queensland. To see what’s on offer, we have our very own Resources webpage to offer students and employers links regarding this support. You can find those resources here: https://mtai.edu.au/resources/

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

Apprentice of the Month: October 2021 when you catch a glimpse of his current drag car – a 1975 Ford Cortina that can run the quarter-mile in 8.2 seconds at 162mph (260km/h).

“I’ve had that car for about five years and bought it as a drag car, but it was sort of unfinished,” he said. “It was really a shell with a roll cage when I got it, and I rebuilt the ODD MARSHALL is roll cage, built the differential the MTA Institute – the diff housing – the rear Apprentice of the suspension, fabricated the front Month for October 2021. suspension, used lightweight components, and the The 38-year-old works for Insane Performance in engine is a turbocharged LS1 that runs on methanol Rockhampton and actually completed his training in September, reaching the apprenticeship finish line in and produces about 1000hp (745kW). My focus is a little over three years, with his MTA Institute trainer 1/8-mile racing and I have done a 5.1 at 120mph (193km/h).

Lloyd Cross commenting that Todd ‘has a thirst to It was for these skills, developed over years, that learn and is always researching to improve’ and is a Todd ended up working with Insane Performance. person who takes enormous pride in his work.

The business offers a broad range of services – Starting an automotive apprenticeship in your from logbook servicing and general repairs and mid-30s is something of an unusual move, but Todd maintenance of regular passenger vehicles, through always had a passion for cars. He helped his father to 4WD diesel ECU remapping and DPF solutions, work on his cars when he was a child, and has to full-on performance work including race car owned, modified and built drag racing cars since fabrication and engine upgrades. It’s a place where he was a teenager - a pastime that enabled him to someone with Todd’s interests fits right in. develop fabricating and welding skills that he could “When I finished up at the chemical plant, I thought easily have built a career around.

I might have a couple of months off work, but a mate However, as sometimes happens, a person can showed me on Facebook that Insane Performance find themselves following a different path than the were looking for someone and I ended up here,” one that seems obvious and Todd would spend he said. “I started as a fabricator, doing work on several years as a qualified butcher, then several exhausts and race cars, but about three months after more in the construction industry, during which starting, I was offered an apprenticeship. time he would gain a Certificate III in Chemical “And while I do a bit of everything and love the Processing while working at a chemical plant. But it work, it is the performance side of things that I really was those skills learned building his own cars that enjoy, that’s for sure.” would ultimately see Todd make the switch to the While Todd’s journey to becoming an automotive automotive industry. tradesman may have been longer than most, “I have always been into cars, and drag racing becoming a mechanic and being able to work in the in particular,” said Todd. “Since I was 18, performance field is clearly very satisfying.

I have always had a drag car or a street car, “I have no real plans now,” he said. “This is and I have always worked on them myself, CLICK TO VISIT where I want to be, and I am really enjoying making what I needed.

THE INSANE PERFORMANCE Todd’s skillset becomes apparent what I am doing!”

WEBSITE APPRENTICE: TODD MARSHALL WORKPLACE: INSANE PERFORMANCE, ROCKHAMPTON APPRENTICESHIP: LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

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80 | Motor Trader November 2021

N OM IN AT E FOR T HE MTA INS TIT U TE APP R E N TIC E O F T HE MONT H AWARD • Are yo u em p loyi ng a n a p p re nti ce wh o is excelling i n th e wor kp l a ce?

• Do yo u have a hi g h- a chi ev i n g ap p rent ice co lle a g u e?

• Are they t rainin g wi th MTA Ins ti tu te?

If th e ans wer is ‘ye s ’, the n nom i nate th e m fo r t he M TA In s ti tute Ap p re nti ce of th e Mo nt h Awa rd.

C L I CK H E R E FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT IO N

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

MTA Institute Graduates

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MTA INSTITUTE’S LATEST GRADUATES THE MTA INSTITUTE is the largest independent provider of automotive apprenticeships and training in Queensland and it is always a proud moment when its APPRENTICE Matthew Bailey Jarvis Beckett Matt Murphy Martin Po Christopher Wyeth Nelson Brooks Neil Spinks Samuel Andersen Alexander Blatcher Matthew Cumner Luke Dean Samara Denk Alexander Dyer Jasper Fahey Steven Jensen Riley Leeson Cody Marsden Patrick Nairn Ashley Nardi Cody Nyburg Benjamin Parker James Powis Joshua Schmidt Jake Sheridan James Skinner Brenton Tobin David Tomkins Albertus Van Aswegen Russell Warr Jayden Browning

students complete their trade qualification. Congratulations to everyone who was issued a qualification in October 2021 - it is a fantastic achievement!

QUALIFICATION

TRAINER

Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology

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82 | Motor Trader November 2021

Can you afford not to be in the circle?

P a r t n e r s

Stay ahead of the automotive digital revolution with access to events and the MTAiQ Innovation Hub.

illion is the leading independent provider of trusted data and analytics products and services in Australasia. Members are eligible for substantial savings on annual subscriptions.

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INNOVATION

Safety Help provides the automotive industry with a service dedicated to making your business compliant.

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Our corporate partners offer a wide range of services & benefits, including banking, insurance, payment options, legal advice, and advice on workplace health & safety compliance Library of online business resources and templates Weekly industry bulletin Webinar and micro-credential program (coming soon).

FREE Jobs Board Discounts on stationery & workshop products Monthly subscription to the Motor Trader e-magazine Regular specials & discounts

Providing legal services across a number of core areas, Bennett & Philp Lawyers have been providing effective legal solutions to meet the needs of dealers, suppliers, racers, financiers and other motor vehicle professionals for more than ten years.

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SUPPORT

openpay is a leading buy now, pay later service favoured by the automotive industry. Openpay gives customers longer to pay for servicing and parts through interest-free payment plans, while you get paid the next business day. Not just a payment method, but a smarter way to triple your Average Transaction Value.

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• Apprenticeships • Traineeships • Skills Recognition.

• Automotive Licensing • Short Automotive Courses (including some which attract a 20% discount for members) • Pre-apprenticehips.

Guard Insurance Brokers specialises in insurance and risk management solutions and offers dedicated service to MTAQ members at market leading rates.

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TRAINING

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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Receive FREE expert advice on Workplace Relations matters & Consumer Complaint Support. Access a website building service and, through the Member Portal, information regarding wages & awards, health & safety, public holidays and more. There also is a FREE-to-use online Jobs Board platform, and discounted products available through the online MTA Queensland shop.

The Commonwealth Bank offers members some of the lowest EFTPOS charges in the country.

Members have saved thousands with CBA.

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Spirit Super is a multi-industry super fund with over 300,000 members and $23 billion funds under management. We put the spirit in your super.

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MTA Queensland will represent you to state and federal governments on BIG issues affecting your business and the industry. We represent service stations, new & used car dealers, tyre businesses, paint & panel, repairers, parts recyclers, engine re-conditioners, farm & industrial machinery businesses, motorcycle sales and rental vehicles, so can actively espouse direct industry perspective.

SAVE WITH OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

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ADVOCACY

MTA Queensland

Search for MTA Queensland

November 2021 Motor Trader | 83

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Address Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia 4113 Phone (07) 3237 8777 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

Motor Trader’s Christmas Gift Guide ❶ LUXURY LEATHER BAGS More top-notch gear from the Italian company Outlierman, these full-grain, calfskin leather weekender and helmet bags are lined with high-quality microfibre fabric and add a touch of luxury to those short trips away and track days. Both feature The Outlierman’s metal logo placed on the leather exterior and include a leather ID tag, which can be personalised with the customer’s initials. The helmet bag contains a lower compartment to hold what you need on the track and in the pits, whether it be driving gloves, helmet accessories, driver shoes, wallets, protective scarves or masks.

Protective metal feet and adjustable and detachable straps ensure both bags are designed to be durable and functional.

MONZA COLLECTION HELMET BAG Price: $2000 Available from www.theoutlierman.com

❶

❹

MONZA COLLECTION WEEKENDER BAG Price: $1900 Available from www.theoutlierman.com

❷ MOTORBIKE CONSTRUCTION KIT Up for a bit of model building? This is the Gift in a Tin ‘Born to be wild’, classic motorbike construction kit. Use the specialist tools included in the kit to bolt together over 160 parts to build your very own classic ‘Born to be wild’ chopper motorbike for your home or desktop. The tin size is 110mm x 81mm x 42mm and the kit is recommended for ages 15 & up.

Price: $27 Available from www.thedesigngiftshop.com 84 | Motor Trader November 2021

❷

❸ CLASSIC STEERING WHEEL CLOCK A wall clock crafted in hawthorn in classic steering wheel design complete with spokes. Combining stitched tan leather with a bold face, this 30cm diameter clock will certainly make a statement on any wall and looks like a great gift for a classic car lover.

❸

Price: $228 Available from www.annabeljames.co.uk

❹ CHRYSLER VALIANT CHARGER R/T E38 SCALE MODEL The Chrysler Valiant Charger a classic from Australia’s motoring past – available as a 1:24 scale die cast model complete with iconic fiery orange and black colouring. The model has opening doors and you can even pop the hood to reveal the motor. It comes on a plastic display stand with the name of the beast on the side. Nice.

Measurements for the model are 17cm x 7cm x 5cm for the model and it is aimed at ages 10 and older.

Price: $98.99 Available from www.yellowoctopus.com.au

❺W HISTLE KEY FINDER KEYRING ❺

A fun, and potentially VERY useful stocking-filler gadget, this Whistle Key Finder Keyring should mean lost keys are a thing of the past. Simply whistle and the key finder beeps a tune. And if the keys are lost in the dark? No worries! An LED light flashes while beeping so you can spot them. Could be the perfect gift for those who are a little absent-minded with the keys!

Price: $9.95 Available from www.gyrofish.com.au November 2021 Motor Trader | 85

Concept corner

AURA TWO-SEAT EV S

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SPORTS CAR CONCEPT

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Concept corner

The AURA concept

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CONSORTIUM OF BRITISH automotive and technology companies has revealed an all-new electric two-seater sports car - and it certainly is an interesting-looking concept.

Called AURA, the concept is a lightweight, road-legal EV which features sustainable composite materials and 88kWh of battery capability offering a reported 644km of range. A cutting-edge human machine interface (HMI) system is designed at connecting the driver with the vehicle and its surroundings to eradicate charge point and range concerns. The design of the car itself, as can be seen from the rear wheel covers, has aerodynamic efficiency in mind.

Funded via the UK Government’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles through the

88 | Motor Trader November 2021

FUNDED VIA THE UK GOVERNMENT’S OFFICE OF LOW EMISSION VEHICLES . . .

THE REAR-WHEEL DRIVE AURA COMBINES THE CAPABILITIES OF A CONSORTIUM OF BRITISH BUSINESSES - ASTHEIMER, POTENZA TECHNOLOGY, AND BAMD. Niche Vehicle Network, the rear-wheel drive AURA combines the capabilities of a business group that includes Astheimer, Potenza Technology, and BAMD. A 10-inch touch centre infotainment system and a 5-inch circular selflevelling display in the middle of the

November 2021 Motor Trader | 89

A 10-INCH TOUCH CENTRE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM AND A 5-INCH CIRCULAR SELF-LEVELLING DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL ARE AT THE HEART OF THE HMI. steering wheel are at the heart of the HMI. Using the latest Android Automotive Operating System, the technology has been integrated, the consortium says, to demonstrate the next generation of HMI software and apps, including machine learning software which monitors the weather, driving style, and the environment to provide spot-on energy optimisation, ensuring the driver will never run out of electricity unexpectedly or wait on a charge point for longer than is necessary.

The vehicle is also connected in real-time to the AURA cloud service, which enables the creation of a digital twin of the vehicle to provide the driver, should they wish, with historical telematics to analyse their driving style of regular routes to maximise range and minimise their impact on the surroundings.

90 | Motor Trader November 2021

LAWS PROTECTING AGAINST HARASSMENT RECENT MEDIA STORIES about what may be happening in some parliamentarian’s offices is a reminder to all employers and business owners that no-one is immune from a sexual harassment claim.

The Fair Work Act and Regulations will soon be amended to give employers more power to sack perpetrators of sexual harassment.

The Federal Government has announced it will amend section 387 of the Act to clarify that sexual harassment can be a valid reason for termination when determining whether a dismissal was unfair.

It will also amend the definition of “serious misconduct” in the Fair Work Regulations to include sexual harassment, to clarify that this behaviour can justify summary dismissal.

In addition, education and guidance on unfair dismissal and other workplace rights will be updated. The Act will include a ‘stop sexual harassment order’ by clarifying that a stop-bullying order is available in the context of harassment.

model WHS laws for employers to ensure workers are not exposed to health and safety risks, which includes the risk of sexual harassment. Safe Work Australia guidance recently released specifically describes sexual harassment as a systemic risk employers must approach with a safety mindset.

PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS CODE OF PRACTICE A code of practice on managing psychosocial risks is currently being

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS developed by Safe Work Australia, which is to cover sexual harassment in the

TO MORE THAN 8000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY workplace.

This will help toINVOLVED increase POSITIVE DUTY ALREADY EXISTS IN THE INDUSTRY A positive duty already existsMOTORING under awareness of the duty to manage (website or e-magazine options)

psychosocial health and safety risks and improve compliance, it says, adding it will continue to support this work.

The aim is to create an improved culture of respectful workplace behaviour.

For further information about Policy for your workplace, please contact MTA Queensland.

CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA GUIDE AND COSTS

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