Motor Trader e-magazine, August 2020

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

within the auto industry, we wish them luck as they tackle this unfortunate outbreak.

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

IN THIS MONTH'S EDITION

EDITOR Jonathan Nash ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Evangeline Kannis Ian Naylor

JONATHAN NASH EDITOR

H

POLICY Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland

ELLO AND WELCOME to the August 2020 edition of Motor Trader.

It is disheartening to note that there has been a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus in NSW and, in particular, Victoria. These outbreaks highlight how vigilant we must all be in our businesses here in Queensland where, for now at least, we have been spared serious flareups. This is a deadly disease and complacency is something our personal health, as well as the health of our economy, simply cannot afford.

While it may be frustrating to abide by the social distancing rules and other regulations, they are there for good reason, and we must all stick to our guns and follow the guidance of the health professionals and government.

To the community down south, and our friends and colleagues

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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

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In this month's Motor Trader, we are taking a look at concept cars. Over the past few years, these machines have, for the most part, been electric vehicles loaded up with high-tech wizardy and the most futuristic of styling as manufacturers embrace the ideas of battery power, connectivity and new mobility solutions. Those EV concepts are pretty amazing and we intend to look at some of them in a future edition of Motor Trader. This month, however, we thought we would have a bit of fun and look back at some of the concepts of the past, going all the way back to 1938 and the very first concept car, the Buick Y-Job, and up to the emergence of Tesla and the ushering in of the EV. Check out our picks from page 22.

As always, also in this edition are our regular MTA Q&A and Classic Car features, as well as auto and innovation news from across the world, and some pretty interesting training stories. Read on!

Cheers, Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au

A quick note on imagery in the magazine. We do use older, pre-COVID outbreak images to illustrate some of our articles, as well as stock and supplied pictures. We take the safety of our members, students, staff and the community very seriously and would not want the community to think we have intentionally breached any social distancing safety rules.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 1

Contents

22 04 08 12 18 22

FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO POLICY/VIEWPOINT MTA |Q&A MTAQ RACING HIGH CONCEPT: GREAT CONCEPT CARS OF THE ‘ICE’ AGE 46 AN EYE ON INNOVATION 48 AUTO INNOVATION NEWS 62 MEMBER'S CLASSIC 70 AUTO NEWS 84 BUSINESS PROFILES: INTRODUCING OUR MTA QUEENSLAND MEMBERS 90 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 93 TRAINING GM'S PROFESSIONAL CIRCLE PERSPECTIVE 95 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: JUNE 2020 99 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: JULY 2020 100 PROFESSIONAL CIRCLE TRAINING 106 PLUGGED IN 110 CONCEPT CORNER 116 MARKET WRAP

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Search for MTA Queensland

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From the Desk of the CEO

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND

“AS BUSINESS CONDITIONS IMPROVE, THE INNOVATIVE THINKING OF AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES THAT HAS DRIVEN THEM SUCCESSFULLY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY WILL ENSURE A STRONG RETURN AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATION’S ECONOMY.”

HE RECENT COMMONWEALTH Economic and Fiscal Update showed the grim reality of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s finances to support the health system and to sustain households and businesses. The long-term economic outlook is for record deficits, high unemployment and struggling enterprises. However, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, provided a positive perspective on recovery, stating that Australia’s economy had passed its low point but faces a ‘bumpy path ahead’ with the Federal Government best placed to support the recovery.

Feedback from affected members is that economic recovery is evident with some businesses rehiring and lifting hours to meet the gradual upturn in business.

The value of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus measures has proved to be vital in sustaining businesses. As indicated in the Association’s COVID-19 Automotive Industry Survey and Report, 83 per cent of businesses applied for some form of government support including JobKeeper and Apprentice Wage Subsidies.

We have been proactive in our advocacy to influence the extension of JobKeeper and welcome and support the Federal Government’s renewed and restructured

income support measures for those businesses meeting the assistance criteria. At a brittle time in the economic recovery, the Government’s decision gives confidence to those businesses that are still heavily impacted by COVID-19.

It recognises too, that there are many uncertainties associated with the pandemic and the effect on industry, including automotive, that may increase with time. Some businesses are yet to be affected and will require support due to global supply chain implications yet to be felt - a matter I raised with the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Senator Michaela Cash and Federal Government officers.

The Government’s response to addressing the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 is valued, but the automotive value chain recognises that this support is finite. As business conditions improve, the innovative thinking of automotive businesses that has driven them successfully for more than a century will ensure a strong return and contribution to the nation’s economy.

For Queensland alone, the automotive value chain (pre COVID-19) employed approximately 90,000 people and generated in excess of $21 billion annually.

BRETT DALE

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4 | Motor Trader August 2020

Going forward, the balance must be for the government’s policy settings to be responsive to the needs of industry and for automotive businesses to respond with entrepreneurialism and innovations that advantage the economy.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND THE WORKFORCE Fundamental to the economic recovery are the skills and the workforce needed by industry to restore the productivity, job security and employment lost due to the need to follow COVID-19 restrictions.

MTA Queensland is conscious that as the largest independent provider of automotive apprenticeships and training in the State, its role is to deliver the skills needed by industry and to be influential advocates in the development of skills policies. Feedback from members indicate that skilling and workforce issues remain critical to the future of the industry and that there has been very little, if any, decline in demand. The Federal Government’s JobTrainer package will form a vital part to ensuring businesses are able to get the skilled workers needed and meet future demand.

MTA Queensland is the automotive ‘Industry Skills Advisor’ for the Queensland Department of Employment,

Small Business and Training. In that advisory role, we have engaged with stakeholders and provided the state government with priorities for investment for the 2020-21 Vocational Education Training (VET) Budget.

Abundantly clear is that the requirement of skill sets has been amplified with COVID-19 and the acceleration of the technological advancements within the industry. There is evidence the workforce is looking at skills sets as a means of keeping up with current and emerging technology such as Hydrogen-powered vehicles, advanced driver assist systems, and automated vehicles. Others, however, are looking to complete skill sets to pivot into new automotive sectors. These may include a light vehicle mechanic wanting to gain skills and knowledge in the heavy vehicle road transport sector as a result of the high demand on freight movement throughout the nation generated by online shopping and contactless trading.

Recently, I signed off on our submission to the Productivity Commission’s National Agreement for Skills Workforce Development Review discussion paper which included views on the shortage of qualified persons available to meet mandatory supervisory requirements. This is a critical issue for regional apprentices and businesses as in Queensland, Australian apprenticeships are required to be supervised by a suitable qualified person. MTA Queensland’s training regimen includes investment in trainers that are geographically dispersed in major regional centres and its apprentices include those in the employ of de-centralised and regional automotive businesses. Included in the proposed VET training package is additional funding for a Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training Program which would support August 2020 Motor Trader | 5

From the Desk of the CEO eligible tradespeople to have their trade experience recognised, enabling them to act as qualified supervisors for apprentices.

In numerous stakeholder forums and in submissions to state and federal agencies, we have advocated for enhancements to VET career information and advice provided to school students as a pathway to a fulfilling vocation other than by university. Consistently, we have advocated for a paradigm shift towards a secondary school student having prerequisite knowledge of science, technology, English and mathematics to enter the trades, equivalent to that required for an undergraduate qualification. With this in mind, I took a keen interest in the review of senior secondary pathway into work, further education and training led by an expert panel chaired by Professor Shergold AC. The review considered the design of an education system that prepares young people for their future, including employability. It sets out findings and key recommendations in relation to the VET sector and how senior secondary students can be better supported to choose a pathway into work, further education and/or training.

The report’s VET recommendations align with our advocacies but more has to be done, as stated in the report, to ensure ‘all students. . . should be supported to undertake career education and work exploration at school, through workplace learning, work skills courses, and/or undertaking applied subjects such as design and technology’. In stakeholder forums and submissions, we will continue our advocacies to achieve this outcome. MTA Queensland recognises that the Federal Government’s new JobTrainer package provides up to an additional 340,700 training places to help school leavers and job seekers access short and long courses to 6 | Motor Trader August 2020

“. . . WE HAVE ADVOCATED FOR ENHANCEMENTS TO VET CAREER INFORMATION AND ADVICE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL STUDENTS AS A PATHWAY TO A FULFILLING VOCATION OTHER THAN BY UNIVERSITY.” develop news skills in growth sectors and create a pathway to more qualifications.

AND THE LAST THING As industry transits through the economic recovery phase, we will continue to actively listen to the industry concerns and drive the necessary change through advocacy to government. Governments at all levels seek our input and it is the members’ views we articulate. We are preparing a supplementary submission to the Federal Budget to be handed on 6 October 2020 in Parliament that will reflect the automotive value chain’s requirements during and beyond the economic recovery phase.

With the state election due in less than 90 days, I’ll be submitting state election policy initiatives to the leaders of the major Queensland political parties.

Until next month, as Henry Ford, the industrialist and the founder of the Ford motor company said, ‘execute ideas with enthusiasm . . . as it is the bottom of all progress’.

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Policy/Viewpoint “IT WOULD SEEM THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP WITH MTA QUEENSLAND IS BEING BROADLY RECOGNISED BY INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS.” KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES

A

T THIS TIME of the year, under the MTA Queensland’s Rules the conduct of elections for office for the Board Divisions and Districts is completed. The onset of the coronavirus caused the process to be paused. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), as one of its responsibilities, oversees the conduct of elections for office for industrial organisations registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (RO ACT). The Commission was concerned that relevant stakeholders may not have a full opportunity to participate in the elections, either as candidates, nominators, voters, or scrutineers. Equally, the health and wellbeing of participants in the election process was a significant consideration. For that reason, the AEC determined that from 24 March, all industrial elections would be ceased and re-run in three months’ time.

The Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) followed up the AEC determination with a Guidance Note on the conduct of elections during the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. It emphasised that the RO Act and the Rules of Registered Organisations provided for the regular election of office holders

8 | Motor Trader August 2020

as important elements for ensuring democratic control. To date there has been no further communication and, currently, we are awaiting advice on the new timetable for commencing the electionfor-office process.

The decision to cease the election process during the height of the COVID-19 crisis was welcome as it would have been a significant disruption for members whose focus was on business sustainability.

Additionally, the cessation of the election process ensured that corporate office resources were concentrated on membership support. The delay may be helpful to members considering nominating for a position on an industry divisional committee in which their business aligns. I encourage members to consider a representative role. It is essential we have voices to advocate for their respective sectors at a time when the automotive value chain is on the cusp of dramatic change. I would welcome indications from members aspiring to a representative or leadership role on a divisional committee. Under the Rules, each division has a minimum of five and a maximum of 12 members.

MEMBERSHIP An interesting observation is the increasing interest from non-members in MTA Queensland’s role as the peak industry body representing the automotive

value chain, and the provision of training, services, and support to members. Over the last few months, there has been an impressive number of new applications for membership. It would seem the value of membership with MTA Queensland is being broadly recognised by industry, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis.

ADVOCACY Pending is a facilitated Shaping the Queensland Small Business Commission (QSBC) post-Covid workshop. The QSBC was temporarily established until 31 December 2020 under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020. The purpose of the workshop is to provide views and ideas regarding the ideal role and function of the QSBC going forward, that will serve the needs of the small business community.

We have an abundance of views to contribute to the workshop gleaned from the Member Engagement Strategy conversations and from the recent MTA Queensland COVID-19 Automotive Industry Survey and Report. One issue that is a constant preoccupation for members is the cost of red tape. Current research indicates that a quarter of small businesses spend 11 hours a week or more on compliance and close to half estimate the annual cost of compliance is more than $10,000.

The Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has advised of the emergence of ‘regtech’ which uses information technology to simplify regulatory processes for the end user and minimises the need to navigate complex regulatory systems. We will suggest that the QSBC investigate August 2020 Motor Trader | 9

Policy/Viewpoint ‘regtech ’as it would be an effective way to cut red tape for small business.

INDUSTRY NEWS – LUXURY CAR TAX The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) advised for the 2020-2021 financial year that the luxury car tax (LCT) would increase from $67,525 to $68,740, and for fuel-efficient vehicles from $75,526 to $77,565. Fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that consume less than seven litres of fuel per 100 km. The increase was the first time in five years that the threshold rose for such vehicles. Vehicles with a value over these thresholds attract an LCT rate of 33 per cent. MTA Queensland’s long-held policy is that the LCT should be abolished.

Currently there is a Change.org petition which proposes the abolition of the LCT for electric and hybrid vehicles as a direct incentive to purchase more environmentally friendly vehicles. The last time I looked, the petition was tracking towards 9,000 petitioners, with the aim of securing 10,000. It is unlikely the Federal Government will be influenced by the petition or other calls for the LCT’s removal which would cost the budget $670 million annually in revenue. With an estimated underlying cash balance shortfall of $184.5 billion for the 12months through to June 2021 due to COVID-19 stimulus and support measures, it is probable the LCT may remain for some time.

However, MTA Queensland, in a recent submission to the Productivity Commission’s National Agreement for Skills Workforce Development Review, suggested an alternative approach notwithstanding the policy the LCT should be abolished. The revenue from the LCT should be applied to support the new employer incentives for Australian Apprenticeships to take effect from 1 January 2020 and other related programs.

10 | Motor Trader August 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS – NUMBER PLATES A new series of number plates will appear later this year and feature a combination of three numbers followed by two letters and a number. The current number plate series started in 1977 and but for a colour change in 2001, looks largely the same. The new series will provide more than 16 million new combinations and is expected to last more than 25 years at current rates.

The first number plate – is 000-AA0 and will be issued to a ‘local hero’ who has been nominated for community work.

FINALLY Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has been assisting many thousands of Queensland consumers and businesses with advice on issues that have arisen due to the pandemic. Specifically, the OFT handled 1,400 consumer complaints about matters impacted by COVID-19. Of these, 90 per cent related to goods or services which had been cancelled or could no longer be provided, with the vast majority – 970 - relating to travel and holiday bookings. The preoccupation with COVID-19 matters did not prevent the OFT from its compliance investigatory role which includes motor car dealers.

In one instance, the OFT investigated a complaint and found a motor dealer was selling used motor vehicles from a residential address. Although licensed as a motor dealer, the person was conducting transactions via private sales to try and circumvent the consumer protection provisions set out in in law. The dealer was fined for not complying with the law. It is timely, to remind members of the dob-in-abackyarder facility on our website.

Until the next Viewpoint, take care and stay safe.

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Sheree Watson and David Reece

MTA|Q&A David Reece and Sheree Watson own StreetPro Motorcycles, a company through which they run the EagleRider Brisbane motorcycle rental and tour business, are dealers for the CF Moto and SWM bike brands, and build trike conversions. It is a diverse enterprise, founded on the owners’ passion for motorcycles, the lifestyle, the thrill of riding, and a desire to share that passion and make it accessible to everyone.

What products and services do you provide?

DR: StreetPro Motorcycles is essentially our operating company and while we do a range of other things, EagleRider is our main business. EagleRider is a 12 | Motor Trader August 2020

global business – the world’s largest motorcycle rental and touring company – and we have the franchise for the Brisbane and Gold Coast areas.

We specialise in the lifestyle element

EagleRider Brisbane

of motorcycle rentals and offer customers luxury brands – Harley Davidson, BMW, Triumph, amogst others. With us, it's all about the ride and the experience - it’s about going the long way round.

Motorcycle tours are popular in America, and it is a much more established business there. We are growing the tour business but, at the moment, we are focusing more on the rental side.

However, we do organise tours. We can build custom tours for customers – both guided tours and self-ride tours – and can book accommodation, create the route, and offer advice on where to go and the great places to see.

For guided tours, we offer everything from just getting a group underway with a tour guide to a fully supported tour with a van to carry luggage and a spare motorcycle in case there’s a breakdown, an accident, or someone gets sick.

". . . EAGLERIDER IS OUR MAIN BUSINESS, BUT WE DO OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING REPRESENTING CF MOTO AND SWM, WHICH ARE STRONG, EMERGING BRANDS." So, EagleRider is our main business, but we do other things, including representing CF Moto and SWM, which are strong, emerging brands.

CF Moto is a great product and we have been representing them in Brisbane for about five years.

They are a Chinese brand, are very big there, and are well known in the agricultural sector for utility vehicles, quads and so on. They also do a range of road bikes and they are growing fast and are developing new models and new August 2020 Motor Trader | 13

technology. They are in a joint venture with KTM, use Bosch electronics and really do produce state-of-the-art bikes that are competitive with anything Japanese and at a much better price point.

We believe strongly in the brand and it is definitely one to watch for the future.

They are very fast moving and there are a lot of new models coming, including a new sports model, the 300SR, which will be here soon and is a full-faired sports bike that is very competitively priced.

We also sell SWM Enduro/Adventure bikes and have done so for about four years. SWM today is a re-emergence of a competition grade Italian brand that dates to the '70s and '80s. They have been refinanced and re-established and have a whole lot of new models.

As for doing custom trike conversions, that is something we do that grew out of a passion of mine and after I built a trike for myself. We didn’t promote that side of things really, but we did establish supplier relationships, built some trikes - including one for our rental fleet - and, through word of mouth, built a few more.

While CF Moto and SWM are not mainstream brands, sales have growing and are strong.

We have built them for all types of people – for riders whose legs aren’t as strong as they used to be as well as for disabled people. And it is fantastic to be able to do that.

How did you come to be involved with EagleRider?

DR: I had done some traveling in the U.S.

and experienced EagleRider, the company and the brand.

Subsequently, the opportunity came up to get involved with EagleRider in Australia. I invested in the EagleRider master franchise, which is located in Sydney, and we loved the concept so

"WE LAUNCHED HERE IN BRISBANE ON JANUARY 1, 2014 . . . NOW, WE HAVE FRANCHISES IN BRISBANE, SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE AND ARE ROLLING OUT A COUPLE OF SMALLER AGENCIES IN TASMANIA AND ELSEWHERE."

much we decided to operate a franchise ourselves here in Brisbane.

We launched here on January 1, 2014 with the Sydney franchise preceding us by a month.

Now, we have franchises in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and are rolling out a couple of smaller agencies in Tasmania and elsewhere. However, things are on hold just a little now because of COVID-19.

How has COVID-19 impacted things?

DR: Bike sales are growing. While CF Moto

and SWM are not mainstream brands, sales are growing and are strong. I don’t really know why – perhaps it is to do with the financial stimulus the government is providing, or because people are wanting to do things domestically - but sales across the industry are booming.

The EagleRider business has, of course, been impacted. We’re a motorcycle travel business and there is no travel business that hasn’t been affected in some way.

Our international customer base, for example, is gone, as are our interstate customers. So, at the moment, the rental

business is relying on local customers.

But we are ticking along.

With the travel industry generally, everything is up in the air. We really don’t know from one day to the next what is going to happen. Look at Melbourne. We see borders open one day and then a week later there's a lockdown and the borders close. If Brisbane gets an outbreak of the virus, what will happen here? When will international customers start traveling again? Will it be next year? How is all that going to work? There’s a lot of uncertainty.

For us, I think we will be OK. We are not heavily geared and we own this building, so even if we had to close the doors in a lockdown for a period, we would be OK.

What's your background?

DR: I am a businessman and don’t come

from the motorcycle industry. Before this, I was involved in many businesses including commercialising new packaging technologies and developing a global patent portfolio. We built a factory in Sydney, established that technology to disrupt the packaging industry and spent

August 2020 Motor Trader | 15

about 18 years doing that before selling quite recently after moving up here.

Although I have worked in lots of different businesses, in the background there were always motorcycles and moving into this venture was a fairly easy transition.

Technology is changing the automotive industry in a major way and being online and using digital tehcnology is a must for any business.

Is technological change affecting the motorcycle industry and your business?

DR: New technologies will definitely affect

the motorcycle industry. I think that is inevitable. Harley has an electric bike - the Livewire – and there are a lot of electric motorcycles on the way. However, I don’t think they are necessarily going to quickly replace combustion engine motorcycles.

For us, and especially for the EagleRider business, we can represent any brand and can adapt very quickly to any of these developments, so they are not necessarily disruptors for us.

As for digital disruption, we have a good online presence and a sophisticated booking platform, so that is something

that is only enhancing our business. The EagleRider group has an in-house IT team in the US and everything is built, managed, and tailored for our business. It is not outsourced. It’s not like a general website with add-ons. We’ve got digital signature capture now, so everything can be done online and we can even send contracts to customers to sign on their phone. It is very sophisticated.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to start up a business today?

DR: I think the

advice, and this would be for any business, is that hard work and CF Moto 16 is a|fast growing Motor TraderChinese Augustbrand 2020 that does a range of road bikes and are developing new models and new technology.

SWM today is a re-emergence of a competition grade Italian brand that dates to the '70s and ‘80s.

"FOR US, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE EAGLERIDER BUSINESS, WE CAN REPRESENT ANY BRAND AND CAN ADAPT VERY QUICKLY . . ." dedication is rewarded with success. As the adage goes: ‘The harder I work the luckier I get’. Work hard, be focused and while we all make mistakes, it is learning from the mistakes that makes you stronger.

Having a passion for what you are doing really helps too. If you don’t enjoy your work, try something new.

What has been the benefit of being a member of MTA Queensland?

DR: Every industry needs representation

that can handle things regarding legislation, dealing with the government and any issues that come up. There are also the relationships that come with being a member. One of the key benefits for us

has been that because we bank with the CBA, we received favourable rates on our merchant facilities. That is a very good thing for us.

It would, I think, be great to see more motorcycle businesses involved, and as a rental and travel business we do sit a little bit on the fringe of things, but an industry association is very important to protect and represent the interests of industry.

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

DR: We work hard – we are here six-

and-a-half days a week - but it is what we enjoy doing. In the spare time we do have we do go riding, and we enjoy the usual things - visiting friends and family, enjoying a nice meal and so CLICK on. Of course, right now, TO VISIT doing those things has been THE EAGLERIDER BRISBANE severely affected, except WEBSITE the riding - one great way to socially isolate is to jump on a bike and go for a ride!

August 2020 Motor Trader | 17

MTAQ Racing

MTAQ RACING TEAM ALL SET AND BACK ON TRACK

A

FTER A LONG and enforced hiatus away from the thrills of competitive motor racing, the MTAQ Racing Team will be back on track this month for the first round of the Hyundai Excel X3 Queensland State Championship.

The four-race meeting will take place at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick from August 28-30 and arrives after the original schedule – Round One was to take place in March, and Round Two in June – was upended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.

That lockdown will now see the championship reduced to two rounds – one in August and the other in November.

For the members of MTA Queensland's dedicated racing team, just to get out on

18 | Motor Trader August 2020

the track and race competitively after the very strange beginning to the year feels like something of a victory.

“Like most sports and business, motorsport has been affected very hard by COVID-19 and the lockdown,” said David Wood, MTAQ Racing Team leader and driver. “It delayed the start of our season and has meant that the calendar and number of events has been condensed.

Some opportunities to compete at national level have also been cancelled or pushed back, and we won’t have a national excel championship event this year.

“Having said that, our main prize – the Queensland championship – is still on the table but will now be held over two rounds.

We will also have a non-championship event at Queensland Raceway at Ipswich

MTAQ Racing at the 2019 Queensland Championship Grand Final Round.

VIDEO: HYUNDAI EXCEL SERIES

in October and we have been added as a support category to the Townsville Supersprint event in September - so we are looking at four – possibly five – events this year, assuming no further COVID outbreaks.”

While COVID-19 has played havoc with the schedule, the delay has not, as might have been feared, had an adverse effect on the Excel category itself. If anything, the enthusiasm and commitment from competitors has increased, as has the

interest from others in the motorsport community.

“The competitor base has been very accepting of the situation,” said David.

“Most people, us included, have used the time to refine and make improvements to their cars and even though we haven’t been able to actually race, the circuits have been available for practice for a while now, so it hasn’t been a total shutdown.

“And the category, especially over the COVID-19 period, has gone nuts,” he added. “Some professional teams at much higher levels have had a lot of downtime and turned their attention to the Excels.

Supercars champions Triple Eight Race Engineering head this list, have multiple cars currently being built and are due to join the action later in the year. Without COVID, that may not have happened, and it is most definitely a positive for us to have professional outfits choosing to join! Also, the number of younger drivers stepping up from karts has been very strong.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 19

"The category is just going ahead in leaps and bounds, and we have 80-90 cars in Queensland across the Championships and Excel Cup series. It has come a long way in the four years since MTA Queensland have been involved.”

It certainly has, and the Excel Series being added as a support category at the Supercars Townsville Supersprint doubleheader at the beginning of September is surely a sign of that. The Excels will feature on the second weekend of the event - September 5-6.

"Being involved at a Supercars event is fantastic for the series," said David.

"It is a resounding vote of confidence in our category and a reflection of just how popular the Excels have become amongst the fans and grassroot supporters of motorsport. It's going to be a barrel of fun being part of such a great event."

While the regular Excel season has been shortened - and there was a point earlier in the year when no one knew whether

any racing would take place at all - the MTAQ Racing Team took advantage of the time to work on improving their Excel.

It had performed admirably in the 2019 season with David securing a fourth-place overall finish but, as with any motorsport category, if you stand still and do nothing, you’re really going backwards.

“We were very fast last season, and we have used our time very wisely over the extended break to revisit all the major aspects of the car and correct a few weaknesses,” said David. “We tested it in June, and will test it again prior to racing, and I think we are a fair way ahead of where we were last year.

“Most of our work has been developing further the work we had been doing over the past 18 months and keeping up with the evolution of the rule book,” he added. “We have revised our engine cylinder-head blueprint to try and find some more power lower in the rev range; we have fitted the car out with a new brake system - including a new caliper and pad combination, master cylinder and wheelcylinder combination, and a revised brake friction material front and rear; and we have also been working hard on our suspension set-up. We have a heavily revised geometry set-up to give us a better centre of gravity and weight transition to improve the car’s ability to turn. All this work naturally includes a few new innovations that we think will give us a real edge – particularly in longer races.

“I have also made a few small adjustments in my driving style to suit David Wood took out the 2019

Queensland Racing Drivers Association Excel Champions award in 2019

these changes, and the MTAQ RACING TEAM extended break has also allowed me to get some overdue treatment on a back injury I have been carrying for a while MTAQ RACING FOUNDATION PARTNER and that was giving me a bit of grief on race weekends . . . the car wasn’t the only one to get a revision and tune MAJOR PARTNER up!”

Helping the confidence levels to OFFICIAL TOOL PARTNER remain high has been the continuity in the support team, with the same crew from 2019 OFFICIAL XXXX PARTNER working to maintain and improve the car.

“The three guys on the squad - Gerard OFFICIAL XXXX PARTNER Field, Andrew Jackson and Will Salmon - are a brilliant group," said OFFICIAL INSURANCE PARTNER David. “Gerard is very creative and can think “I am very confident outside the square, and him and Will really OFFICIAL XXXX PARTNER that we will be right are our leaders on race weekends which allows me to step back a bit and just worry up there in the title hunt and are in a very about the driving side. We also have Cam Howieson who continues to assist between good position to take OFFICIAL LUBRICANT PARTNER on anyone that joins other commitments and always arrives the category,” said with plenty of ideas!

David. “We have had “We will look to add another member OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER a good ‘heads up’ on this season to help with the Excel and the new arrivals and some other projects we have on the go. have been working And we have also bolstered up in what we ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION PARTNER to try and do the best call our ‘specialist group’ – which is our we can so that when wider squad of experts in specific areas.

OFFICIAL TYRE PARTNER that high-quality We have a tremendous group, and we all opposition turns enjoy working together.” up, we have the So, after months of waiting, keeping fingers crossed and working hard ability to meet them. Of all the CLICK TO on the car in the hope that racing seasons we have competed in, FOLLOW THE MTAQ RACING would get the green light at some I am by far the most confident TEAM ON point in 2020, the team is ready I have been heading into a FACEBOOK and itching to get on the grid. campaign.”

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August 2020 Motor Trader | 21

HIGH CO

GREAT CONCEPT CA

MERCEDES-BENZ C111 // 1969 22 | Motor Trader August 2020

ONCEPT Part 1

ARS OF THE ‘ICE’ AGE

T

HERE HAVE BEEN hundreds of concept, experimental and research vehicles built over the decades.

Some are exercises in design – pure artistic theatrics that give an indication of the styling direction a manufacturer is considering for future production models.

Others are a well-designed testbed for new technologies and for carmakers to show off their engineering prowess.

Manufacturers pour millions into these creations, so they most certainly are not the raging flights of fancy they sometimes appear. Take the Porsche Mission E concept, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. That concept was met warmly by the public, was developed into a production vehicle, and is available to buy today under the name Taycan.

All-electric models are the type of concepts we see most often these days and some of them are truly amazing. Incredible amounts of technology are crammed into them as manufacturers chase better batteries, faster charging, greater range, remote connectivity, vehicle-to-grid technology, hydrogen fuel cell technology and, of course, the elusive holy grail that is Level 5 self-driving technology – tech that requires no human interaction at all and which would mean we could all say goodbye to the steering wheel.

With many concepts now being these incredibly sophisticated EVs, any list of great concept cars should probably be split into those that fit nicely into the era

“ . . . WE’VE GIVEN IT A STAB AND PICKED OUT SOME OF THE PRE-TESLA CONCEPTS THAT WERE . . . TECHNOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT, STYLISTICALLY MEANINGFUL, OR JUST LOOK VERY COOL.” of the internal combustion engine (ICE), and those that are EVs. And given that the EV era can probably be considered as the moment when Tesla (now, by the way, the world’s most valuable carmaker) arrived on the scene, that list can be pre-2006 or thereabouts - the year Tesla made its debut on the world stage with the Roadster.

Creating a list of the best concept cars since the first – the Buick Y-Job – appeared in 1938, is, of course, impossible. Such a list would be completely subjective. However, here at Motor Trader we’ve given it a stab and picked out some of the pre-Tesla concepts that were, for one reason or another, technologically important, stylistically meaningful, or just look very cool.

There are plenty that could have made the list, perhaps should have, and we’d love to hear what those might be. You can let us know about other great ICE-era concepts by emailing publications@mtaq.com.au and we’ll take a look at some of them in a future edition when we’ll also be checking out some of the great concepts of the EV era.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 23

BUICK Y-JOB // 1938

“THE Y-JOB WAS POWERED BY AN EIGHT-CYLINDER 5.3-LITRE, 141HP (103KW) ENGINE, AND WAS A FULLY FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE.”

T

HE GRANDDADDY OF them all, the Buick Y-Job was the auto industry’s first concept car and was the work of legendary designer Harley Earl and his team at GM Design.

The two-seater Y-Job set the standard as it was designed to be used as a testbed for new technologies and

24 | Motor Trader August 2020

features, and it was indeed packed with innovations that would find their way into production models over the next decade.

There were power-operated hidden headlights, power windows, bumpers that merged with the body, and a powered convertible top that folded back into the body where the rear passenger seats would normally

VIDEO: 1938 BUICK Y JOB

have been on a car this size.

Built on a lengthened 1937 Buick chassis, the Y-Job was powered by an eight-cylinder 5.3-litre, 141hp (103kW) engine, and was a fully functional vehicle. So much so, that Harley Earl himself used the car as his personal vehicle into the 1950s.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 25

GM FIREBIRD III // 1958

B

ACK IN THE 1950s, General Motors worked on a series of wildly futuristic experimental cars under the Firebird name. Four cars were designed, with this, the Firebird III, being particularly memorable.

Clearly, GM designers were fascinated by jet aircraft and the Firebird III’s fibreglass body came replete with seven ‘wings’ and fins, as well as bubble canopies similar to those of a jet fighter.

It had air-drag brakes too – another nod to the period’s obsession with aviation.

26 | Motor Trader August 2020

Power came from a 225hp (168kW) gas turbine engine mounted behind the driver, with a smaller 10hp (7.5kW) piston engine up front used to power the accessories – an early hybrid, if you will.

Innovations and cutting-edge technology were everywhere in the Firebird III. Aside from the engine, there was cruise control, special wheels that combined the wheel and brake drum as one unit, and a quite wild steering, throttle and brake control system that was all managed via a joystick

“AMAZINGLY, THERE WAS EVEN A ‘SONIC KEY’ SYSTEM THAT USED SOUND WAVES TO OPEN THE DOORS.” VIDEO: FIREBIRD III

set in the centre console between the driver and passenger. There was even an autonomous driving mode – although this required a wire to be embedded in the

road from which two coils mounted under the car could pick up signals to use to guide the car.

Amazingly, there was even a ‘sonic key’ system that used sound waves to open the doors.

The 1950s must have been a fantastic time to be involved with car design. In the US in particular, there seemed to be no limits on what you could try out, and the Firebird III is a testament to that freedom.

Magic stuff.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 27

HOLDEN HURRICANE // 1969

O

VER THE YEARS, Holden produced some tremendous concept vehicles, but this, the Hurricane, is the pick of the bunch.

Codenamed RD 001, the Hurricane was not just a design exercise, though it scores an A+ in that department. It was a true research vehicle, built 'to study design trends, propulsion systems and other long-range developments'. And as such, it was a world-beater.

28 | Motor Trader August 2020

Powered by a mid-mounted 260hp (194kW) 4.2-litre V8, the Hurricane featured what was known as Pathfinder, a forerunner to GPS which acted on magnetic signals built into the road.

It was also fitted with Comfortron, an automatic temperature-controlled air conditioning system. There were also electronic digital instrument displays, a station-seeking radio, and a rear-vision camera that fed a black-and-white TV

“ . . . THE HURRICANE FEATURED WHAT WAS KNOWN AS PATHFINDER, A FORERUNNER TO GPS WHICH ACTED ON MAGNETIC SIGNALS BUILT INTO THE ROAD.”

VIDEO: 1969 HOLDEN HURRICANE CONCEPT CAR - RESTORED 2011

mounted in the centre console.

Getting into the Hurricane involved lifting a hydraulically powered canopy

upwards and outwards over the front wheels. Power-elevated seats also rose and pivoted forward, along with the steering column, to make access easier.

All of this tech was enough to make the Hurricane an exceptional vehicle, but Holden squeezed it all into a blisteringly good-looking body covered by an experimental metallic orange paint for good measure. Just brilliant.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 29

MERCEDES-BENZ C111 // 1969

“THE CAR WAS QUICK AND COULD HIT 260KM/H. A LATER VERSION, THE C111-IV REACHED 404KM/H IN 1979 WITH A V8 ENGINE PROVIDING THE POWER.”

T

HE C111 WAS one of a group of concept and test-bed vehicles Mercedes developed during the ‘60s and ‘70s. 12 were made over the years and were used to test all manner of technologies.

The original incarnation of the C111 was fitted with a three-rotor

30 | Motor Trader August 2020

Wankel rotary engine. Mercedes had been interested in developing that technology (they stopped working on it in the mid-70s) and the engine in the first C111 delivered 280hp (206kW), enabling the car to reach an impressive 260km/h. A later version, the C111-IV reached 404km/h in 1979 with a V8

engine providing the power.

The first C111 was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 1969 and was a real showstopper – attendees thought the gullwing car might be a replacement for the 300SL ‘Gullwing’ of the 1950s and the company apparently received blank cheques from prospective

customers desperate to get their hands on it.

As well as the Wankel engine, the C111 was used to test the possibilities of a fiberglass body, bonding and riveting techniques, as well as transmission, suspension, other types of engines and a variety of other technologies.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 31

FORD MUSTANG MILANO // 1970

P

LENTY OF MUSTANG models have come and gone since the classic car made its debut in 1964.

There have been many concept versions of it too – concepts that have popped up from time to time but whose designs

32 | Motor Trader August 2020

appear not to have made it to production models.

The Milano concept, which appeared at the Chicago Motor Show in 1970, had some interesting touches – including a set of responsive rear lights that glowed green

“ . . . IT DID HAVE SOME INTERESTING TOUCHES, INCLUDING A SET OF RESPONSIVE REAR LIGHTS THAT GLOWED GREEN WHEN ACCELERATING, AMBER WHEN CRUISING, AND RED UNDER BRAKING – WHICH IS PRETTY COOL.” when accelerating, amber when cruising, and red under braking – which were pretty cool, but the main reason to talk about the Milano is its styling.

It certainly looks good, just as a '70s muscle car should, and while it certainly

influenced the appearance of the production Mustangs that would follow it, the design touches can also be seen in the Australian Falcon XB coupe. And that makes it worth a mention.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 33

VAUXHALL SRV // 1970

“IT HAD A FRONT AEROFOIL THAT COULD BE ADJUSTED TO IMPROVE AERODYNAMICS, AND . . . INSTRUMENTS INCLUDED A MANOMETER THAT MEASURED AIR PRESSURE ON THE CAR’S BODY”

U

NVEILED IN 1970, the SRV (Styling Research Vehicle) was a sleek and stylish entrant into the concept game by British manufacturer Vauxhall.

The four-door, four-seater was developed to analyse future styling and layout directions, and it incorporated some

34 | Motor Trader August 2020

interesting features that explored those ideas.

It had a front aerofoil that could be adjusted to improve aerodynamics, and instruments and gauges were placed in a pod that was mounted and hinged to the front of driver’s door and would swing out when the door was opened. Those

instruments included a manometer that measured air pressure on the car’s body.

There was also electrically adjusted suspension and it had a pump system that allowed for fuel to be distributed between separate tanks for better weight balance.

The engine powering this futuristic

creation was to be a 2.3 litre fuelinjection mid-mounted transverse version of Vauxhall’s Slant Four inline four-cylinder, but only a mock-up was used for show purposes, and the car was unable to run under its own power.

Shame.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 35

LANCIA STRATOS ZERO // 1970

A

N EXERCISE IN style with no limits, the Lancia Stratos Zero was designed by Marcello Gandini, chief designer at Bertone, and it is a bonkers-looking creation.

Powered by a rear-mounted, 1.6-litre V4 engine – which was kept cool by

36 | Motor Trader August 2020

air directed to it via the triangular engine cover - the Zero was not going to set any records, even if it looked like it could zip across space and time at warp speed.

The Zero was just 84cm high, and with entry achieved by lifting the enormous windscreen and clambering in, you

“THE ZERO WAS JUST 84CM HIGH, AND WITH ENTRY ACHIEVED

BY LIFTING THE ENORMOUS WINDSCREEN AND CLAMBERING IN, YOU PROBABLY HAD TO BE FLEXIBLE TO GET IN AND OUT.” probably had to be fairly flexible to get in and out. It helped too if you were fairly trim – if you’ve ever seen video of the Zero in action, it’s clear that if you’re carrying extra pounds, it would not be conducive to a comfortable ride.

Helping the driver to get in was that

the steering wheel and column shifted forward and could then be pulled back to the driving position. The instrument panel was offset to the left of the steering wheel as there was no dash.

A beautiful, if nutty, creation, the Lancia Stratos Zero is a gem to be treasured.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 37

ASTON MARTIN BULLDOG // 1979

A

STON MARTIN DEVELOPED the Bulldog prototype car in 1979 with an eye on challenging the Italian and European sportscar manufacturers.

The company was reportedly aiming to create ‘the ultimate road-going supercar’ and clearly thought that some wild styling would convey just such an

38 | Motor Trader August 2020

ambition. Wild as that styling was, it was not completely out of touch with what could already be found on the road – the Lamborghini Countach had been in production since 1974 – and underneath that body, the ‘ultimate supercar’ ambition was backed up by some serious hardware.

The mid-engine Bulldog had at its heart

“THERE WERE POWER-OPERATED GULLWING DOORS, AND A SET OF FIVE HEADLIGHTS WERE CENTRED BELOW THE WINDSCREEN AND REVEALED BY A SECTION OF THE BONNET THAT FOLDED DOWN.” a thumping twin-turbo, 5.3-litre V8 that was rumoured to deliver between 600 and 700hp (447 to 522kW), and while it was a large car, it was light enough that the engine could punch it along from 0-100km/h in five seconds and on to a top speed of 305km/h (Aston Martin claimed it could go quicker).

There were power-operated gullwing

doors, and a set of five headlights were centred below the windscreen and revealed by a section of the bonnet that folded down. Inside, the Bulldog had digital gauges and sensors similar to the Lagonda luxury car.

25 Bulldogs were planned for production but only the prototype was built.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 39

FORD GT90 // 1995

W

HEN GROUPS OF engineers get together and test their limits, exciting work can be the result. Such was the case with the Ford GT90, a supercar concept that could still turn heads if revealed today.

What Ford’s engineers came up with here was a real beast. Borrowing

40 | Motor Trader August 2020

components from other vehicles – including its stablemate at the time, the Jaguar XJ220 – Ford came up with a spiritual successor to the Le Mans-winning GT40, with styling that still holds up nearly as well as that awesome machine. Built on a honeycomb-structured aluminium monocoque chassis with a carbon-

“. . . THE GT90 WAS FUTURISTIC IN CONSTRUCTION AND THE POWERPLANT AROUND WHICH IT WAS BUILT WAS BRUTAL.”

fibre body, the GT90 was futuristic in construction and the powerplant around which it was built was brutal.

Developed by welding together two cutdown V8s and slapping on some Garrett turbochargers, the resulting quad-turbo, 6-litre V12 churned out a mighty 720hp (537kW) delivered to the rear wheels.

Not surprisingly, performance was phenomenal. The GT90 was the most powerful car in the world at the time with 0-100km/h coming in a touch over three seconds and the top speed was said to nudge 400km/h. Those figures would make it tough to beat even today.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 41

VW W12 SYNCRO // 1997

Y

OU DON’T NECESSARILY think of Volkswagen as the maker of supercars or as a manufacturer dabbling with supercar concepts. Those are areas of play in which you will find the companies which VW owns – such as Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti.

However, back in 1997, VW did unveil the

42 | Motor Trader August 2020

W12, a concept designed by Italian maestros Italdesign and built to accommodate both VW’s Syncro 4WD system and the company’s brutal engineering achievement – the 5.6-litre, W12 engine.

The first concept – the bright yellow ‘Syncro’ – had a 414hp (308kW) version of the engine and this car developed quickly

“. . . BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE BOTH VW’S SYNCRO 4WD SYSTEM AND THE COMPANY’S BRUTAL ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT – THE 5.6-LITRE, W12 ENGINE.” into other versions – a roadster that appeared in 1998 and a coupe in 2001.

The coupe had a W12 pumping out 591hp (440kW) and VW had enough faith in its creation to plonk it on the race track at the Nardo Ring test track in Italy and push it to cover more than 7,700 kilometres in 24 hours at an average speed of 323km/h.

The importance of the W12 concept can be seen in what would happen in the following few years. With its faith in the W engine layout concept confirmed, VW would go on to produce the 'mother of all engines' – the W16, then stick four turbochargers on it and stuff it in the record-breaking Bugatti Veyron.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 43

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EXTENSIVE RANGE OF QUALITY PARTS Each vehicle that arrives at ACM Parts is carefully dismantled by a team of professionals. Once dismantled, each part is taken through an extensive quality control process. This includes condition assessment, testing

44 | Motor Trader August 2020

(when possible), cleaning and then packaging.

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1800 226 727 or visit acmparts.com.au August 2020 Motor Trader | 45

An Eye on Innovation

KATHY WINKCUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER GENERAL MANAGER INNOVATION

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HE CHALLENGES WE face thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic show no sign of letting up. While it seemed, for a while at least, that here in Australia we had a handle on this wretched virus, the outbreak in Melbourne has shown just how insidious it is and how we must all be on our toes and following, to the letter, all the guidance the health authorities and governments advise us to follow.

It is frustrating, no doubt, but for the health of others in our community, which is surely the most important thing, as well as for the long-term health of the economy, there is little we can do but keep the virus at bay and continue our lives as best we can. It is something we are going to have to live with for some time.

It may, in fact, change the way we live and interact with each other, and that new normal will revolve around ways in which we can best remove ourselves from the possibilities of infection.

In Melbourne, wearing a mask is now mandatory when outside of home, and it would come as little surprise for such a requirement to soon be the norm across the country. While that may seem extreme to some, it is a cultural shift that probably should not be seen as such - for years, wearing a mask has been a feature of life

46 | Motor Trader August 2020

across many Asian nations plagued by air pollution concerns.

Where does the automotive industry fit into all this? Well, the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic has focused the minds of both consumers and carmakers.

According to a U.S. Cox Automotive survey carried out in May, 36 per cent of new vehicle shoppers are more likely to consider air quality features when shopping for a vehicle. That is not altogether surprising, and the smart minds at carmakers across the world are now racing to offer those consumers the technology that will make a vehicle’s cabin a healthier, safer place. There is some innovative work going on in this space.

For example, Jaguar Land Rover has revealed it has developed contactless touchscreen technology that uses artificial intelligence to determine what feature the user intends to select before the display is touched. A gesture tracker, using various sensors together with information based on the user profile, determines what the user’s intent is likely to be and selects the appropriate feature.

The company claims that lab tests and trials show this predictive technology could reduce a driver’s interaction with the touchscreen by up to 50 per cent. As we all now know, the less physical interaction with any surface, the better.

Over at Hyundai, there is work going on into the development of Ultraviolet (UV) light technology. UV systems are, reportedly, well-proven and already used in a variety of facilities - from hospitals where they are used to assist in disinfecting patient rooms and operating theatres, to laboratories and even foodpacking factories. Hyundai says that it is planning to develop an interior cabin light has just such a sterilisation capability.

And then there is China-based manufacturer Geely.

The company established a ‘Healthy Car Program’ in response to the onset of the Coronavirus and says it is to invest heavily to ‘develop healthy vehicles that focus on clean in-vehicle air technologies to filter out any harmful bacteria as well as developing new self-cleaning materials for use in heavily used touch points such as grab handles, buttons and door handles’.

Such efforts from Geely have already resulted in a new air purification system on its newest production model, the ICON SUV. VIDEO: GEELY AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS

At the launch of the vehicle in February the company said, “In response to the new Coronavirus epidemic, Geely Auto developed, in record time, a new Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS) that is N95 certified. This highly efficient air purification system works in tandem with the ICON’s air conditioner to isolate and eliminate harmful elements in the cabin air including bacteria and viruses.’

Finally, it is worth noting that Tesla has been a leader in this field.

One of the most innovative of automakers, Tesla has for some time had a top-class air filtration system available in some of its models. Using a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, the company offers a feature called ‘Bioweapon Defense Mode’, which sounds

truly impressive and which the company claims is hundreds of times more efficient than standard automotive filters. It can, the company says, capture ‘fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, as well as bacteria, viruses, pollen and mold spores’.

The system reportedly proved most effective during the extreme California wildfires of 2018, during which owners of Tesla vehicles fitted with it reported that it was very capable in maintaining the air quality within the cabin.

There is, no doubt, much more of this type of technology is being investigated and developed by manufacturers, and anything that works to keep a cabin a safer and healthier environment can only be a good thing.

Exciting news in the world of electric vehicles (EV) is the continuing development and research into Vehicle-toGrid (V2G) technology.

The idea behind V2G tech is that EVs can be plugged into, and return power to, the nation’s power grid. It is a straightforward concept and one that is gaining plenty of traction. Across the world, companies and governments are getting stuck into the research and Australia has joined the party with a trial to take place in Canberra.

Nissan, which has been involved in this V2G technology research for some time, will see 51 of its LEAF EVs used in the trial.

The potential for this technology is pretty incredible – from providing extra energy security to the grid to allowing a potential new revenue stream for EV owners – and there appears to be no obvious drawback.

To think that it was just a handful of years ago that even the idea of electric vehicles was viewed as pie-in-the-sky dreaming, and we can see that the developments here have been fantastic.

The ideas and technologies flowing from what is, at its core, the very simple concept of a car powered by batteries, appears to be limitless.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 47

Auto innovation news

GOODYEAR AND LORDSTOWN MOTORS CONNECT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES

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OODYEAR AND LORDSTOWN Motors (LMC) have announced a strategic relationship with the two companies agreeing to collaborate on tyres and service as well as 'future tyre intelligence opportunities'.

The announcement coincides with electric vehicle-maker Lordstown’s debut of its first Lordstown Endurance all-electric pickup truck, the Endurance, featuring Goodyear tyres.

As part of the agreement, Goodyear also intends to acquire new Endurance vehicles to integrate into its own servicing fleet.

“We want to be the tyremaker of choice for electric vehicle manufacturers and working with Lordstown represents an ideal relationship with shared Ohio roots and shared values of innovation, performance and sustainability,” said Erin Spring, Goodyear’s director, new ventures.

Operating out of the former General “Debuting the Endurance is the biggest Motors plant near Youngstown, Ohio, milestone Lordstown Motors has hit to Lordstown has retooled the facility to date and having a legendary company begin producing its first vehicles at the like Goodyear a part of the moment is end of this year. Lordstown Motors says extra special,” said Steve Burns, LMC it has received advance orders for fleet CEO. “Goodyear is a household name, and purchases of the Endurance and plans to their partnership is an important step for build 20,000 of the pickups during its first Lordstown Motors. The fact that they’re in our backyard is just icing on the cake.” year of production.

48 | Motor Trader August 2020

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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.

Auto innovation news

HYUNDAI SHIPS XCIENT FUEL CELL HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS TO EUROPE

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YUNDAI HAS SHIPPED the first 10 units of the Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell, the world’s first massproduced fuel cell heavy-duty truck, to Switzerland. The company plans to ship a total of 50 Xcient Fuel Cells to the country this year, with handover to commercial fleet customers starting in September. The company says it plans to roll out a total of 1,600 of the trucks by 2025.

The Xcient is powered by a 190kW hydrogen fuel cell system with dual 95kW fuel cell stacks. Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of 32.09 kg of hydrogen. The driving range for the Xcient Fuel Cell is about 400km.

Hyundai says this was developed to find an optimal balance between the specific requirements from the potential commercial fleet customers and the charging infrastructure in Switzerland.

Refuelling time for each truck takes approximately 8-20 minutes.

“Xcient Fuel Cell is a present-day reality, not a mere future drawing board project,” said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. “By putting this groundbreaking vehicle on the road now, Hyundai marks a significant milestone in the history of commercial vehicles and the development of hydrogen society.

Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell

50 | Motor Trader August 2020

NISSAN IN JAPAN ACCEPTING ELECTRICITY AS PAYMENT FOR PARKING

“Building a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, where critical transportation needs are met by vehicles like XCIENT Fuel Cell, will lead to a paradigm shift that removes automobile emissions from the environmental equation.”

In addition to the XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, Hyundai is the manufacturer of NEXO, its second-generation hydrogen-powered SUV, and the company says it is developing a long-distance tractor unit capable of traveling 1,000km on a single charge.

By 2025, the company says it aims to sell 670,000 electric vehicles annually, including 110,000 FCEVs.

NISSAN IS GIVING customers the ability to pay for parking with electricity.

In a global first, electric vehicle drivers will be able to discharge power from their car’s battery pack to pay for parking while visiting the Nissan Pavilion exhibition space in Yokohama.

The payment system is just one of the many innovations customers can experience at the Pavilion, built to show Nissan’s clean energy efforts.

Visitors can eat at the Nissan Chaya Cafe, operating on power supplied by Nissan LEAF electric cars and solar energy and can also experience other innovations besides Nissan Energy Share technologies. These include the ProPILOT advanced driver assistance system as well as Nissan’s Invisibleto-Visible (I2V) technology, which combines information from the real and virtual worlds to assist drivers.

The 10,000-square-meter, zeroemission Pavilion is outfitted with solar panels and supplied with renewable hydroelectric power.

In Japan, Nissan has also entered agreements with local governments to use LEAF cars as mobile batteries that can supply energy during natural disasters. In another partnership, the company is repurposing used EV batteries to power streetlights.

The Nissan Pavilion, located near the company’s global headquarters in Yokohama, will be open to the public from Aug. 1 through Oct. 23 August 2020 Motor Trader | 51

Auto innovation news

ELECTRIC VEHICLE-TO-GRID TRIAL TO BE HELD IN THE ACT

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USTRALIA IS CONTINUING its electric vehicle journey with Canberra set to be home to one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trials in the world.

V2G technology allows EVs to discharge electricity back to the grid or even provide services to improve grid security.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) – Nissan LEAF which was established by the Australian Government in 2012 ‘to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increase the supply of renewable energy through innovation that benefits Australian consumers and businesses’ – will pump $2.4 million in funding to ActewAGL – the Canberra-based energy provider - to demonstrate V2G services.

The Realising Electric Vehicle-to-Grid Services (REVS) project will see 51 Nissan LEAF EVs deployed across the ACT to test and provide V2G services. The EVs will be part of the ACT Government fleet and when plugged in will provide Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) to the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Traditionally provided only by coal, gas and hydro-electric power stations and more recently batteries, FCAS is used by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to maintain the frequency 52 | Motor Trader August 2020

“THE REVS PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A MAJOR STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC, ELECTRICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL LEARNINGS OF V2G ARISING FROM THE TRIAL.” on the electrical system and provide a fast injection or reduction of energy to maintain grid stability.

The project will be the first time that a fleet of vehicles using bi-directional chargers will supply FCAS to the NEM and provide services that improve energy security and avoid blackouts. It will also be the first time an EV fleet will be paid for providing electricity services, testing new revenue streams that could improve

the total cost of ownership of EVs. Fleets make up more than half of all new vehicles sold annually in Australia and the results of this trial will help inform future procurement choices of private and public sector fleet managers.

ActewAGL will be working alongside a consortium of academic, government, transport and electricity system partners including the Australian National University (ANU), JET Charge, Evoenergy, SG Fleet, ACT Government and Nissan.

The 51 Nissan EVs will be replacing traditional combustion-engine vehicles that are currently used for work around the ACT. The vehicles will be used normally during business hours but will be plugged in when not on the road which allows for approximately 70 per cent availability for providing grid services.

Utilising the data from the trial, the ANU will lead the development of a roadmap for the commercialisation of V2G technology for all stakeholders.

“ARENA is focused on commercialising technologies than can aid the integration of EVs into the electricity system,” said Darren Miller ARENA CEO. “Given its potential capability to provide similar services as household batteries, V2G has the opportunity to transform a vehicle into a revenue generating device for consumers, through access to energy and network service markets and also to provide power solutions for the grid.

“As EV uptake grows, this project will help to unlock a future where EVs are just as critical a piece of the electricity sector as the transport sector.

“The REVS project will also include a major study of the economic, electrical and behavioural learnings of V2G arising from the trial. Using these outcomes, international learnings and new analysis, the ANU will produce a V2G roadmap for Australia highlighting the potential of V2G and possible steps to get there.”

BMW AUSTRALIA TO OFFER REMOTE ENGINE START BMW AUSTRALIA HAS continued to enhance its suite of technology offerings with introduction of the Remote Engine Start function.

The feature, which will debut on the upcoming 4 Series and both the new 5 Series and M5 Competition, remotely starts the vehicle’s engine for up to 15 minutes at a time using the BMW ConnectedDrive App from any location. The feature is designed to optimise cabin conditions before the driver and passengers enter the vehicle.

The function can also be activated via the BMW vehicle key at a range of 30-70 metres.

Depending on the vehicle’s equipment level, functions such as seat heating, seat ventilation and steering wheel heating can also be controlled.

The feature can also be purchased via the BMW ConnectedDrive Store and installed over-the-air with Remote Software Upgrade.

Remote Engine Start can be optionally equipped on a number of ex-factory vehicles from across the BMW range.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 53

Auto innovation news

VOLVO CARS INVESTING IN BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY XC40 Recharge P8

Volvo XC40 Recharge Battery Package

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OLVO CARS HAS made an investment in blockchain technology firm Circulor through the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, the company’s venture capital investment arm.

The companies have been working together to boost the traceability of cobalt used in the batteries of its electric cars and Circulor’s blockchain technology is used throughout Volvo Cars’ battery supply chain. The company says it will achieve 100 per cent traceability of cobalt used in the XC40 Recharge P8 EV that will go into production this year.

Volvo adds that its investment will allow both companies to expand their focus beyond cobalt and include looking at increasing traceability of mica, a mineral used as isolation material in the battery pack of electric Volvos.

Volvo Cars and Circulor are also investigating the possibility to expand their blockchain technology cooperation to other areas, for example tracking and reducing CO2 footprints.

“We are committed to an ethical supply chain for our raw materials, and 54 | Motor Trader August 2020

VIDEO: VOLVO CARS TO USE BLOCKCHAIN TRACEABILITY OF COBALT USED IN ELECTRIC CARS

“BY SUPPORTING CIRCULOR’S ONGOING DEVELOPMENT WE CAN EXPAND THE USE OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN OUR OPERATIONS AND CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS.” our partnership with Circulor has been instrumental in that regard,” said Martina Buchhauser, Chief Procurement Officer at Volvo Cars. “By supporting Circulor’s ongoing development we can expand the use of blockchain technology in our operations and contribute to a more sustainable business.”

BRIDGESTONE SUPPLIES VW ID.3 EV WITH TYRES SPORTING ENLITEN TECHNOLOGY

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RIDGESTONE’S IS Volkswagen ID.3 SUPPLYING Turanza Eco tyres to Volkswagen for the company’s ID.3 electric car.

The tyres incorporate Bridgestone’s Enliten Technology, which the company says enables tyres to have a super low rolling resistance while requiring less materials to be created.

During the ID.3’s development, Volkswagen sought a tyre that offered a high level of performance in both the wet and dry, good braking, long tyre life, and, most importantly, super low rolling resistance that would help with the ID.3’s battery power operating range.

Bridgestone says that Enliten Technology tyres demonstrate a rolling resistance that is up to 30 per cent lower than a standard premium summer tyre and enables further fuel/battery conservation by being reduced in weight by up to 20 per cent from equivalent Technology, together with a new mixing standard premium summer tyres process has enhanced the technology’s (comparing Bridgestone premium summer compound wear performance without tyres with and without Enliten Technology compromising on grip. in the same tyre size (92Y 225/40R18 XL).

The Turanza Eco tyres with Enliten This contributes, in a combustion engine Technology are available on Volkswagen’s vehicle, to a reduction of fuel consumption ID.3 in 18, 19, and 20-inch variants. The and CO2 emissions, and extends battery 19 and 20-inch tyres are equipped with life in an electric vehicle.

Bridgestone’s B-Seal technology, which Bridgestone further claims that the ensures temporary air retention in case of unique materials used to create Enliten a puncture in the tread area.

THE TYRES INCORPORATE BRIDGESTONE'S ENLITEN TECHNOLOGY, WHICH THE COMPANY SAYS ENABLES TYRES TO HAVE A SUPER LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 55

Auto innovation news

HYUNDAI DEVELOPS AIRCON TECH TO MAINTAIN CLEAN AIR IN VEHICLES

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YUNDAI MOTOR GROUP has revealed a new system to improve the quality of air in vehicles. The three new air-conditioning technologies - ‘After-Blow’, ‘Multi-Air Mode’, and ‘Fine Dust Indicator’ will be introduced initially on select models in Korea and expand to upcoming Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles worldwide.

‘After-Blow’ is designed to dry the condensate on the evaporator and suppress mold growth in the air-conditioning system.

After the engine is turned off, the condensate on the evaporator drains naturally for about 30 minutes, ‘AfterBlow’ activates for 10 minutes to dry the evaporator and any condensate left in the air passage. The air-con system automatically allows influx of outside air during this time to prevent humidity build-up.

The technology uses an intelligent battery sensor (IBS) to monitor the battery and stops functioning when the battery is low. It also de-activates when the air conditioning system is not in use for a certain period, or when the outside temperature is low.

‘Multi-Air Mode’ uses multiple vents for air conditioning and heating to create a ‘more pleasant indoor environment with gentle wind’.

When this mode is activated, the air is dispersed to multi-air slots in the driver and passenger seats in addition to the normal air vents. The overall wind volume remains the same, but the dispersion reduces direct air contact.

‘Fine Dust Indicator’ measures the air 56 | Motor Trader August 2020

VIDEO: VENTILATE YOUR VEHICLE, ‘QUALITY AIR’ CLIMATE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY | HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP

“IF THE LEVEL OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES EXCEEDS 36 UG/M3 WHILE THE FUNCTION IS ACTIVE, THE AIR-CLEANING MODE WILL RUN TO PURIFY THE AIR” inside the vehicle in real time and delivers digitised information, allowing the driver to better manage the air quality.

The indicator displays the concentration and pollution level of ultrafine particles.

If the level of ultrafine particles exceeds 36 μg/m3 while the function is active, the aircleaning mode will run to purify the air. The air-cleaning system automatically sets the air volume between 3 and 8 and switches to air-recirculation mode and activates the air conditioning system to reduce indoor humidity. If the air does not improve in aircleaning mode, it can serve as a reminder to replace air-conditioner filters or to clean contaminated seats and mats.

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August 2020 Motor Trader | 57

20200885

As an Industry Skil l s Adv is or we en gage with employers, small business and industry s takehol ders to p rov ide h ig h qu ality, evidence-based ind us try adv ice an d intel l igen ce abou t cu rrent and em erging indu s try direc tion , region al s kil l s need s and training so lutio ns, j ob growth an d emp l oy ment opportu nities.

Auto innovation news

AUSTRALIAN TYRE RECYCLER LOOKS TO EXPAND INTO EUROPE

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USTRALIAN TYRE RECYCLER Green Distillation Technologies, which has developed world-first technology that turns end of life tyres (ELTs) into high value, refinery-ready oil, carbon and steel, believes the time is right for them to expand into the European market.

GDT Chief Operating Officer Trevor Bayley said that the recent statement by Faziler Cinaralp – secretary general of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association – who said that only 42 percent of the 12 million tonnes of ELTs generated in Europe each year are recycled, had heightened their interest.

“In addition, there is the waning interest in crumbing tyres for sporting field infill, GDT Chief Operating Officer Trevor Bayley as well as a potential ban on this use and the fact that we offer a much better and environmentally sympathetic tyre 10 kg car tyre amounted to 3.7 litres of oil, recycling alternative,” said Mr Bayley.

4.68 kg of carbon, 1.95kg of steel. A 70kg “We are working hard to bring our first truck tyre will provide 26 litres of oil, 33 kg two Australian processing facilities in of carbon, 13.65 kg of steel, and a 4 tonne Warren in Western New South Wales and oversize mining dump truck tyre will yield Toowoomba in Southern Queensland 1,570 litres of oil,1.7 tonnes of carbon, and into full production and have plans for 0.76 tonne of steel. five other Australian plants in Gladstone, “There is no shortage of raw material as Wagga, Geelong, Elizabeth and Collie there are 1.5 billion ELT discarded globally Western Australia. each year together with an existing “In addition, we are in negotiations to stockpile of at least that volume in dumps finalise agreements for plants in the US, around the world.

UK and South Africa.

“In the light of this burgeoning “Each plant will have a capacity to environmental disposal problem our process 19,300 tonnes of ELT’s comprising a approach provides a recycling solution as mix of passenger car, 4WD and truck tyres.” we are able to turn a world environmental problem into valuable and highly saleable Mr Bayley said that the volume of materials,” he said. valuable recycled material from a typical

58 | Motor Trader August 2020

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Auto innovation news

JAGUAR LAND ROVER DEVELOPS CONTACTLESS TOUCHSCREEN TECH

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AGUAR LAND ROVER, in partnership with the University of Cambridge, has developed contactless touchscreen technology designed to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.

The technology, known as 'predictive touch’, uses artificial intelligence and sensors to predict a user’s intended target on the touchscreen.

Jaguar says that in the ‘new normal’ once COVID-19 lockdowns around the world are lifted - a greater emphasis will be placed on safe, clean mobility.

The company claims that lab tests and on-road trials show the predictive touch technology could reduce a driver’s touchscreen interaction effort and time by up to 50 per cent, as well as limiting the spread of bacteria and viruses.

The technology uses artificial intelligence to determine the item the user intends to select on the screen, speeding up the interaction. A gesture tracker uses vision-based or radio frequencybased sensors to combine contextual information such as user profile, interface design and environmental conditions with data available from other sensors, such as an eye-gaze tracker, to infer the user’s intent in real time.

“As countries around the world exit lockdown, we notice how many everyday consumer transactions are conducted using touchscreens: railway or cinema tickets, ATMs, airport check-ins and supermarket self-service checkouts, as well as many industrial and manufacturing 60 | Motor Trader August 2020

VIDEO: JAGUAR LAND ROVER PREDICTIVE TOUCH TECHNOLOGY

applications,” said Lee Skrypchuk, Human Machine Interface Technical Specialist, at Jaguar Land Rover. “Predictive touch technology eliminates the need to touch an interactive display and could therefore reduce the risk of spreading bacteria or viruses on surfaces.

“The technology also offers us the chance to make vehicles safer by reducing the cognitive load on drivers and increasing the amount of time they can spend focused on the road ahead.”

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MBER'S ME

WORDS & PHOTOS: LARA WILDE August 2020 62 | Motor Trader July 2020

MAKE: HOLDEN MODEL: UC TORANA YEAR: 1979 ENGINE: 308CI V8 OWNER: ANGELO DE MARIA

August July 2020 Motor Trader | 63

Angelo De Maria

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HEN LITTLE BOYS think of a dream Torana, they put up posters of an SLR 5000 or a GTR on the wall. As a rule, they don’t dream of UC Toranas.

Not so Angelo De Maria, who first fell in love with his 1979 UC Torana Sunbird when he was 15 years old. Since then, he has rebuilt the car many times with passion, dedication and tender loving care, and his first car is now his son’s first car, and it still takes pride of place in the shed.

The year was 1989. Angelo was 15 years old and his brother had a 10-year-old UC Torana from Brisbane up for sale. Angelo didn’t really have a thirst to own a UC but it was within his budget, so he busted out his piggy bank and bought it. On the day the keys were handed over, Angelo didn’t have a driver’s licence and wasn’t old enough to get one, so instead of lapping the Esplanade in Innisfail, he leapt straight onto the tools and got to work rebuilding the UC. Manufacturerd from 1978 to 1979, the UC Torana was not available with a V8 or as one of the famous SL/R variants.

Their competition in the market was considered to be the Ford TE Cortina

The original 'Bad Man'

64 | Motor Trader August 2020

Angelo and his mates on the cover of Street Machine magazine

The 'Bad Man II'

Ghia and the UC was upgradeable with many options to compete against the Ford, including a laminated windscreen, intermittent wipers, and a radio cassette player. The Sunbird version received the same upgrades but was not blessed with the Torana six-cylinder donk, instead being fitted with the 1.9-litre Opel engine known as a Starfire Four.

In the end, the UC turned out to be the last of the Toranas. However, it wasn’t Ford and the Cortina that beat Holden in the market but rather Holden themselves with the VB Commodore - the Camira replaced the Sunbird as the company’s four-cylinder mid-sized family car.

While the UC Torana model and name may have been discarded in 1979, today the UCs are coming into their own as a collector’s item and clean examples are fetching tens of thousands of dollars.

Originally, Angelo’s Torana Sunbird had a Starfire Four motor and a manual gearbox.

However, the little 1892cc motor was never going to satisfy a teenager and Angelo soon whipped out the four-cylinder engine and shoehorned a 308 cubic inch V8 into the engine bay with an M20 four-speed gearbox nestled behind it. By the time Angelo turned 17 and became a licensed driver on the Queensland roads, the UC was fully rebuilt and ready to go cruising.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 65

Just one year after he finished the Torana and put the car on the road, Angelo made a pilgrimage to Canberra for SummerNats - the Mecca for all Aussie car enthusiasts.

He had a great time and together and his friends was featured on the front cover of the March 1992 edition of Street Machine magazine that showcased the SummerNats event.

On his way home from those ’Nats, he began planning a rebuild of the mighty Torana, and over the 31 years he has owned the UC, Angelo has rebuilt it many times with a variety of motors and set ups.

“I have put in a turbo V6, a 4 cylinder and a 355 Stroker at one time or another,” he said. “With that 355 Stroker, it ran a 12.1 second quarter-mile pass at 111mph.”

Drag racing is a sport that runs deep in the blood of the De Maria family. Angelo’s father Joe was a well-known drag racing identity who successfully raced a C1

66 | Motor Trader August 2020

Corvette called ‘Bad Man’. Sadly, Joe died when Angelo was very young.

“As a child, our family was embedded in the drag racing community,” said Angelo. “I remember days at the track taking in all of the cars and my mum talking to other racers. When I began racing the UC it was obvious to me that I needed to honour my Dad, so I called the Torana ‘Bad Man II’.”

The days of racing are over for ‘Bad Man II’, for now. The UC

August 2020 Motor Trader | 67

was a gift from Angelo to his son Joshua, becoming his first car. The 355 Stroker was removed and a V6 put in so that Joshua could drive the UC on his P plates and put the old school Torana to work as a daily driver.

However, when his time on the P-plates was over, Josh and Angelo put a V8 back in.

“These days it runs a mild 308 with a 3.08 diff making it a great highway cruiser,” said Angelo.

With a father who raced a Corvette and a lifetime dedication to building and rebuilding a Torana, you could be forgiven for thinking that Angelo, and the De Maria family, are hardcore members of the General Motors tribe.

“Not at all,” said Angelo. “Dad was a Ford man and I love all makes. I have a Dodge Ram for a shop truck and a Toyota for a daily driver. For me, the pleasure is more about building the car to the best of my ability, no matter what it is.”

Angelo and his team have built every aspect of the Torana themselves. From the engine swaps to the electrics, every part of the build has been completed in the shed at home.

“I know the Torana isn’t show worthy, 68 | Motor Trader August 2020

but I am so proud CLICK of us for doing it TO VISIT THE ADVANCED ourselves,” he said.

AUTO ELECTRICS “As a kid I never & MECHANICAL thought I could WEBSITE build a car by myself and now the Torana is is finished I am keen to build more!”

As Angelo now proudly watches his son driving the UC, the question must be asked – ‘What next?’

“I am so proud to know that my son has my first car as his first car,” he said. “This is a tradition I hope we can continue.

“And I have two more Toranas in the shed at home waiting for a new build,” he added. “One will get an LS motor swap and a green and black SLR paint job.”

Angelo began his driving passion in a Torana, and perhaps he will continue building them until the very end.

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

!

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

W

HEN LITTLE BOYS think of a dream Torana, they put up posters of a SLR 5000 or a GTR on the wall. As a rule, little boys don’t dream of UC Toranas. Angelo De Maria first fell in love with his 1979 UC Torana Sunbird when he was 15 years old. Since then, he has built and rebuilt the car many times with passion, dedication and tender loving care. His first car is now his son’s first car with the family Torana still taking pride of place in the shed.

The year was 1989. Angelo was 15 years old and his brother had a 10-year-old UC Torana from Brisbane up for sale. Angelo didn’t really have a thirst to own a UC but because it was within his budget, he busted out his piggy bank and bought it.

On the day that the keys were handed over, Angelo didn’t have a driver’s licence and wasn’t old enough to get one, so instead of lapping the Esplanade in Innisfail, Angelo leapt straight onto the tools and got to work rebuilding the UC. Built from 1978 to 1979, the UC Torana was not available with a V8 or as one of the famous SL/R variants. Their competition in the market was considered to be the Ford TE Cortina Ghia and the UC was upgradeable with many options to compete against the Ford including a laminated windscreen, intermittent wipers, and a radio cassette player.

The Sunbird version received the same

upgrades but was not blessed with the Torana six-cylinder donk, instead being fitted with the 1.9-litre Opel engine known as a Starfire Four.

In the end, the UC turned out to be the last of the Toranas. However, it wasn’t Ford and the Cortina that beat Holden in the market, but rather Holden themselves with their VB Commodore - the Camira replaced the Sunbird as the company’s four-cylinder mid-sized family car.

But while the model and name may have been discarded back then, today, UC models are coming into their own as a collector’s item with unmolested examples fetching tens of thousands of dollars.

Originally, Angelo’s Torana Sunbird had an unmolested Starfire Four motor and a manual gearbox. However, the little 1892cc motor was never going to satisfy a

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

August 2020 Motor Trader | 69 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PAST ISSUES OF MOTOR TRADER

Auto news

Toyota Corolla Cross

TOYOTA REVEALS AUSTRALIA-BOUND COROLLA CROSS SUV

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OYOTA HAS UNVEILED the Corolla Cross, a new addition to its SUV line-up that is based on its best-selling compact car and that will be coming to Australia.

The new gmodel debuted in Thailand where the vehicle will go on sale first, and the company says the Corolla Cross will slot into its line-up between the upcoming Yaris Cross and the RAV4.

The small SUV will share Toyota’s GA-C platform with the Corolla and the company

70 | Motor Trader August 2020

“COROLLA CROSS IS NOT ONLY STYLISH AND VERSATILE, IT DELIVERS THE SUPERIOR PRACTICALITY DEMANDED

BY CUSTOMERS IN THIS SEGMENT INCLUDING THE HIGH DRIVING POSITION, GREAT VISIBILITY, SPACIOUS INTERIOR AND AMPLE HEAD CLEARANCE”

says it will share the ‘best aspects of both worlds’, delivering a high level of body rigidity and a well-balanced chassis for ‘responsive and agile driving, a comfortable ride and outstanding quietness’ with ‘high levels of SUV practicality’.

A spacious cabin, decent luggage space, and a high level of safety equipment can be expected, although details are yet be released. The same goes for the powertrain, although Toyota has said that the Corolla Cross will be available with either a petrol

engine or a petrol-electric hybrid system.

"Corolla Cross is not only stylish and versatile, it delivers the superior practicality demanded by customers in this segment including the high driving position, great visibility, spacious interior and ample head clearance," said Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing.

Details for the Australian offerings will be announced closer to its launch in 2022.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 71

Auto news

MAZDA SKYATIV-X M HYBRID ON SALE IN AUSTRALIA FROM AUGUST

M

AZDA AUSTRALIA HAS announced the company’s Skyactiv-X M-Hybrid powertrain will be available for the Mazda3 from August, and the Mazda CX-30 from September.

The 2.0-litre Skyactiv-X M Hybrid is the first production petrol unit to exploit the benefits of diesel-like compression ignition. Skyactiv-X utilises Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI), that allows the engine to switch between conventional spark ignition and compression ignition combustion by using a spark to trigger both types of combustion Mazda 3

72 | Motor Trader August 2020

VIDEO: NEW GENERATION GASOLINE ENGINE SKYACTIV-X: SPCCI

in different ways.

In SPCCI mode, split injection creates separate zones of fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chamber. First, a very lean fuel to air mixture is injected into

VIDEO: MAZDA UNIQUE MILD HYBRID SYSTEM WHICH IS INCLUDED ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SKYACTIV-X

the combustion chamber functioning as an electric during the intake stroke, motor, to assist the then a zone of atomised engine. fuel is injected directly Mazda around the spark Australia plug during the Managing compression stroke.

Director, Vinesh The small injection Bhindi said of atomised fuel directly Mazda takes around the spark plug a real-world builds a richer core. When approach to the spark fires, it ignites reducing emissions this core of fuel and air. This and Skyactiv-X increases pressure in the offers more choice to combustion chamber to the point customers looking to do where the same. the lean “Mazda is committed to mixture reducing real-world emissions by rapidly looking at every part of a vehicle’s combusts.

SKYACTIV-X emissions footprint, from its Skyactiv-X production through to where the also features the fuel that powers it comes from, and how Mazda M Hybrid a vehicle is disposed of at the end of its system. The mild life,” said Mr. Bhindi. hybrid system “With every customer’s circumstances features a beltbeing unique, we need to offer a variety of driven integrated ways to reduce vehicle emissions to suit starter generator individual needs and lifestyles. Skyactiv-X (ISG) and a 24V offers customers a lower emission engine lithium-ion battery. Mazda option, while retaining the same joy says it improves of driving that Mazda vehicles have fuel economy by always offered.” recycling energy Skyactiv-X will debut in Australia with recovered during Mazda3, set to go on sale in August, and deceleration and will be offered with Mazda CX-30 later in powering the ISG, the year.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 73

Auto news

Ford Bronco

FORD UNVEILS THE ALL-NEW BRONCO

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ORD HAS REVIVED the Bronco 4x4 and revealed the range of vehicles that will bear the famous name and go into production in early 2021.

There’s a four-door, a two-door and a smaller Sport version and all are aimed squarely at offering off-road capability but with plenty of gadgets and gizmos to hand.

Styling is modern but clearly with a retro twist and Ford appears to have gone all out on making the Bronco as friendly as possible to accessory-loving owners – the company says there are more than 200 factory-backed accessories available for the four-door and two-door versions, and more than 100 for the Sport.

Power for the bigger Broncos comes via a 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 engine delivering 231kW and 542Nm, or a fourcylinder 2.3-litre EcoBoost delivering 200kW and 420Nm. A 7-speed (6+1) manual transmission and SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission are available.

All models get a Terrain Management System with something Ford has called G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Terrain) Modes.

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VIDEO: 2021 FORD BRONCO FAMILY: THE RETURN | FORD

including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl.

In the four-door and two-door models, two 4x4 systems are offered a base setup and advanced 4x4. Power is distributed to a solid rear axle and independent front differential unit – both with available electronic locking differentials. Long-travel position-sensitive Bilstein dampers with end-stop control valves at every corner are available.

Available technologies include Trail Control – cruise control for lowspeed trail driving; Trail

Turn Assist that tightens off-road turning radiuses through torque vectoring; and Trail One-Pedal Drive acceleration/braking control that the company says makes for more precise slow-mode rock crawling.

Ground clearance for the four-door and two-door models comes in at 295mm, and there’s a maximum 29-degree breakover angle and 37.2-degree departure angle. Water fording capability is up to 851mm. There are exposed tow hooks in the front and available are heavy-duty modular steel bumpers with integrated Ford Performance accessory winch mount.

POWER FOR THE BIGGER BRONCOS COMES VIA A 2.7-LITRE ECOBOOST V6 ENGINE DELIVERING 231KW AND 542NM, OR A FOUR-CYLINDER 2.3-LITRE ECOBOOST DELIVERING 200KW AND 420NM. Steel shields protect critical hardware and higher-capability models get a front bash plate, plus shields for the engine, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank.

Inside, Ford says the instrument panel in the bigger Broncos is inspired by the first-generation model and built to be

tough and rugged.

There’s a multifunction colour LCD instrument panel with the transmission shifter/selector and G.O.A.T. Modes controller in the centre console.

Attachment points are built into the instrument panel to mount a device rack, with 12-volt power connections.

Also available is a 12-inch SYNC 4 system with over-the-air updates and integration to the FordPass Performance app with off-road navigation. The SYNC system also displays the available 360-degree camera system, and there is a trail-mapping system available.

BRONCO SPORT The Bronco Sport is the smaller sibling of the two-door and four-door SUVs and is available in five trim levels – a base model, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands and First Edition.

The Badlands and First Edition series are powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost producing 182kW and 372Nm. Base, Big Bend and Outer Banks series get the 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine with a targeted 135kW and 257Nm. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with the Badlands and First Edition adding SelectShift with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

As with the bigger broncos, the Sport gets a Terrain Management System with up to seven available G.O.A.T. Modes depending on the model. All Sport models feature an independent front and rear

August 2020 Motor Trader | 75

Ford Bronco Sport

suspension. On Badlands and First Edition series, the system includes tuned front struts with hydraulic rebound stops.

In addition, there are 46mm diameter monotube rear shocks.

There are four steel bash plates, plus available frame-mounted front tow hooks.

Badlands and First Edition Sport models can wade through up to 600mm of water.

The Badlands series comes standard with 28.5-inch all-terrain tyres. First Edition comes standard with 29-inch all-terrain off-road tyres with more aggressive, deeper treads that stretch on to the sidewalls.

On the inside, Bronco Sport can transport two mountain bikes standing up in its cargo area and there are four available accessory bundles – Bike, Snow, Water, and Camping - in addition to those 100 factory-backed accessories.

Other features include liftgate LED floodlamps, MOLLE straps to carry extra gear, zippered seatback pockets for additional stowage, a built-in bottle opener in the cargo area, and roof rack with capacity for roof-top tent camping. There’s also a 400-watt inverter and liftgate floodlamps.

The Bronco Sport features a SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch touch screen and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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AS WITH THE BIGGER BRONCOS, THE SPORT GETS A TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH UP TO SEVEN AVAILABLE G.O.A.T. MODES DEPENDING ON THE MODEL. Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite of advanced driver-assist technologies is standard across the line-up, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking featuring Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Auto High Beam Headlamps and a rear-view camera.

The Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ technology includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering, Evasive Steering Assist and voice-activated touch screen navigation. Available Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 technology adds Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-andGo, Lane-Centering and Speed Sign Recognition.

No word yet as to whether the Bronco, in any form, will make it to Australia.

Here’s hoping!

Toyota Camry Hybrid

TOYOTA CAMRY RECEIVES STYLING AND SAFETY TWEAKS

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OYOTA HAS UNVEILED a facelifted Camry that also boasts the latest in Toyota Safety Sense technology and new dash design including a large tablet-style screen.

The company says the Camry will continue to be offered with a mix of hybrid and petrol engines with the Camry Hybrid getting a further upgrade with the current 245V nickel metal hydride

battery for the 2.5-litre petrol electric drivetrain to be replaced with a new, more efficient 259V lithium-ion battery.

In the first six months of this year, 4,108 Camry Hybrid sales have accounted for 63 per cent of all Camry sales making it the highest percentage of any model in the Toyota line-up.

The upgraded Camry will arrive in Australia in the first half of 2021.

Auto news

FCAI ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY CO2 EMISSIONS STANDARD

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HE FEDERAL CHAMBER of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has announced a new industry-led reporting system, the FCAI CO2 Emissions Standard, which sets out industry and brand CO2 emissions reduction targets at 2030.

The FCAI says that the new Standard is a long-term objective which recognises that different brands will follow different paths towards the target depending on their individual model cycles.

The initiative is supported by more than 40 major automotive brands and aims to provide certainty to manufacturers to enable them to plan future product for the Australian market.

“The intent behind this new Standard is

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber

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“THE INTENT BEHIND THIS NEW STANDARD IS TO ENSURE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS CAN CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST – AND THAT IS TO BRING THE LATEST, SAFEST, AND MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLES TO THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET.” to ensure automotive manufacturers can continue to do what they do best – and that is to bring the latest, safest, and most fuel-efficient vehicles to the Australian market,” said Tony Weber, chief executive

of the FCAI. “The FCAI strongly supports a comprehensive approach to addressing motor vehicle emissions that includes fuel quality standards, the introduction of Euro 6 and the introduction of a challenging but realistic, achievable and market relevant CO2 standard.

“In this context, the FCAI Standard has been based on internationally mandated practices, including those from Europe and the USA, while still recognising the unique characteristics of the Australian market.”

The Standard will calculate industry and brand CO2 targets on a sales-weighted average mass per unit basis against sales recorded in VFACTS. The results will be divided into separate reporting categories - MA (Passenger Cars and Light SUVs) and MC + NA (Heavy SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles).

Reporting will be in line with the manufacturers’ CO2 emissions performance reporting undertaken by the European Environment Agency and will allow the inclusion of Carry Forward Credits and/or Debits which are a feature of the USA regulation.

From 2020 to 2030, credits will be carried forward for up to five years, including those earned from 2020 to 2023.

From 2024 to 2030, debits will be recorded and carried forward for up to five years.

Prior to 2024, no debits will be carried forward.

The FCAI says that as at December 2019, its members had already achieved a 24.9 per cent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels.

The targeted reduction between 2020 and 2030 is: • MA (Passenger Cars and Light SUVs) an average of 4.0 per cent reduction per annum • MC + NA (Heavy SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles) - an average of 3 per cent reduction per annum.

Kia Sorento

NEW SORENTO ON THE HORIZON KIA’S ALL-NEW SORENTO large SUV is on its way to Australian showrooms, complete with a raft of new technology.

The new model will be available in four grades - GT-Line, Sport+, Sport and S - in both diesel and petrol models.

The diesel will be available first.

The 3.5-litre petrol V6 (200kW and 332Nm) and 2.2-litre 4-cylinder CRDI diesel (148kW and 440Nm) will continue with an 8-speed automatic driving through the front wheels on the petrol and as an on-demand all-wheel drive for the diesel.

The new Sorento’s safety and equipment upgrades start at the entrylevel S model with the standard fit segment-first Front Centre Side Airbag.

The Sport gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen (Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Multi Connection Bluetooth). The Sport+ grade benefits from a pair of USB Charging Points in the back seat.

The GT-Line model gets a 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster, Blind Sport View Monitor, a shift-by-wire dial instead of a gear lever and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

Diesel models pricing will start at $48,850 for the S and top out at $63,070 for the GT-Line. Petrol pricing starts at $45,850 for the S and goes through to $60,070 for the GT-Line.

Full specifications and pricing will be available closer to the full launch of the Sorento.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 79

Auto news

NISSAN REVEALS THE ARIYA EV

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ISSAN HAS REVEALED the Ariya electric coupe crossover – the first production model to represent the company’s new electrified brand identity.

Built on an all-new EV platform, the twin electric motor, all-wheel-drive Ariya models will feature Nissan’s e-4orce and, in Europe, will be available in five core models: • Ariya 63kWh two-wheel-drive: 160Kw, 300Nm, a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds, a top speed of 160km/h and a range of 360km.

• Ariya 87kWh two-wheel drive: 178Kw, 200Nm, a 0-100km/h time of 7.6 seconds, a top speed of 160km/h and a range of 500km.

• Ariya e-4ORCE 63kWh all-wheel-drive: 205Kw, 560Nm, 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds, a top speed of 200km/h and range of 340km.

• Ariya e-4ORCE 87kWh all-wheel-drive: 225Kw, 600Nm, 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds, a top speed of 200km/h and range of 460km.

VIDEO: NISSAN ARIYA. THE NEXT GEN-EV

• Ariya e-4ORCE 87kWh Performance: 290Kw, 600Nm, 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds, a top speed of 200km/h and a range of 400km The Nissan Ariya 63kWh versions carry a 7.4 kW charger for domestic use, while the 87kWh models include a 22kW 3-phase charger for home charging. The Ariya can also support quick charging up to 130kW. There are three drive modes, including Standard, Sport and ECO (e-4ORCE models include an additional Snow mode) and, as should be expected, a stack of technology available at the driver’s fingertips.

Nissan Ariya

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NissanConnect smartphone app

The Ariya comes with Nissan ProPILOT with Navi-link – a hands-on assistance system that helps drivers stay centred in their lane, navigate stop-and-go highway traffic and maintain a set vehicle speed and distance to the vehicle ahead. It also connects with the navigation system and utilises road map data, allowing the system to help adjust vehicle speed based on the posted limit. Additionally, the system can help adjust vehicle speed based on upcoming road conditions.

When the destination is reached, ProPILOT Park (available in limited markets) can recognise an open parking space and guide the vehicle into it.

In addition, the Ariya features e-Pedal – which allows the driver to launch, accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal; and 360-degree safety features such as the Nissan Safety Shield, which includes Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning; Intelligent Emergency Braking, and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking Technology.

On the inside, there is more high-tech fitout.

There’s a minimalist dashboard, with functions such as primary climate control integrated into the centre dash in the form of capacitive haptic switches that offer the same feeling as mechanical switches by vibrating when touched. The display interface features both a 12.3-inch instrument monitor and 12.3-inch centre display along a single horizon. The Ariya also

boasts a large full-colour head-up display.

Tucked under the centre of the instrument panel is a centre storage box and foldout tray.

The slide-out table design transforms the cabin space into a mobile office workspace.

The adjustable centre console can be moved to suit the driver’s personal preference, and the settings can be saved as part of the driver’s profile for automatic adjustment during future outings.

Connectivity tech includes a new human-machine interface and firmware over-the-air updates. Nissan’s intelligent personal assistance technology features a hybrid voice recognition system with advanced natural language understanding technology to handle in-vehicle assistance.

Drivers can check the status of the Ariya’s battery through a smartphone and there’s an Intelligent Route Planner that will send a reminder when it’s time to depart. While driving, the system monitors road conditions and suggests alternative routes to keep travel times short. By using the NissanConnect smartphone app, calibration of the Ariya’s climate controls can be set before entering the vehicle.

Using the Intelligent Key system will allow the driver to unlock doors, and set the seat, steering wheel position and autosliding centre console to their profile.

It has been reported that the Ariya is scheduled to go on sale in mid-2021 and be priced in the mid-$AU60,000 mark.

No confirmation of the vehicle coming to Australia as yet.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 81

Auto news

THE AC COBRA GOES ELECTRIC

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AC Cobra Series1 electric

WO NEW MODELS in the 2020 AC Cobra range have been launched with new engine options – a four-cylinder petrol engine sourced from the latest Ford Mustang and an all new and purpose-designed full electric powertrain.

AC Cars (England) Ltd is launching a limited edition run of electric cars, the first ever to bear the AC marque. This model is called the ‘AC Cobra Series1 electric’ and just 58 cars will be made. The company says that the 58 number is a celebration of the 58 years since the production of the first AC Cobra.

The car will look identical to that first AC Cobra made in 1962 and will be based on the original car. The first car will have a similar ladder frame, adapted where necessary for the electric drive components, including batteries.

Power comes from a 54kWh battery pack and the Cobra will have 230kW of power, 500Nm of torque, a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds and a range of 242km.

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There are a number of upgrades for the electric car, including steering, brakes and so on – all designed to provide 2020 standards of ride and handling.

The body will be constructed of highgrade composite and the car will have a traditional AC Cobra interior.

The car will be available in four colours: AC electric blue, AC electric black, AC electric white, and AC electric green.

Deliveries will start in the last quarter of 2020 and the suggested retail selling price will be £138,000 ($AU250,000) plus on-road charges.

The second new Cobra will be fitted with a 2.3-litre, 350bhp engine sourced from the Ford Mustang. Again, 58 units are to be built and the decent performance figures for what is to be known as the ‘Charter Edition’ will be a six-second 0-100km/h time, and torque of 440Nm. Deliveries will also start in the last quarter of 2020 with a suggested retail price for the car to be £85,000 ($AU153,000).

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M TA Q U E E N S L A N D M E M B E R

THE GARAGE MIAMI DO YOU HAVE ANY BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS (OR PEOPLE) YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF AND WHY?

BUSINESS ADDRESS 18 Pacific Ave, Miami.

SERVICES PROVIDED Servicing, air conditioning, batteries, tyres and wheels, suspension and 4x4 upgrades.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN OPERATING?

Three years.

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

CLICK TO VISIT THE GARAGE MIAMI WEBSITE

We have grown to become one of the more respected vehicle service and tyre centres on the Gold Coast, becoming a true dealership alternative where customers are comfortable servicing their car with us from their first car service. Many businesses have attempted this, but few have succeeded.

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Owners Nathan Brookes and Andrew Whiteway, along with Service Manager Dean Heathcote, deliver high quality services with a particular focus on two to 10-year-old vehicles. We offer thorough vehicle inspections and good old-fashioned service that you may have found in the garages of old.

Professionalism of processes and business presentation.

DO YOU UTILISE INNOVATION OR TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR WORKPLACE?

We focus heavily on online bookings to streamline our processes and offer transparent online pricing. This is designed to make customers feel comfortable with their decisions, know what to expect, and remove the fear of booking in.

DO YOU HAVE WAYS OF SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY?

We sponsor the local bowls, golf, surf lifesaving and surf riders’ associations as well as offer work experience and traineeships to students at our local high school.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 85

M TA Q U E E N S L A N D M E M B E R

ACCESS AUTO ELECTRICS & AIR CONDITIONING have a loyal customer CLICK TO base and deliver auto VISIT THE ACCESS electrical repairs AUTO ELECTRICS & AIR CONDITIONING to a wide range of WEBSITE customers. We work closely with our local mechanics to ensure we understand all aspects of our customers’ vehicles and we are a proud family business that understands the importance of customer service.

BUSINESS ADDRESS 161 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove.

SERVICES PROVIDED Air conditioning, alternators and starter motors, mobile services, batteries, vehicle diagnostics and ignition, accessory installations, vehicle security, dual-battery systems, off-grid battery and solar set up.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN OPERATING?

16 years.

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

Our reputation for friendly, reliable service has spread across the Ashgrove region. We

86 | Motor Trader August 2020

DO YOU UTILISE INNOVATION OR TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR WORKPLACE?

We use the latest tools and equipment and our range of high-end diagnostic scan tools means that we can work with all makes and models, even late-model cars.

DO YOU HAVE WAYS OF SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY?

We are regular sponsor of local schools and fetes and we also sponsor the Elite Breed 4x4 club.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS (OR PEOPLE) YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF AND WHY?

We are a long-term RACQ approved repairer.

M TA Q U E E N S L A N D M E M B E R

EXECUTIVE AUTOCARE customers and local businesses. With more than 30 years of combined experience, our team prides itself on delivering excellent customer service and the highest quality auto care.

CLICK TO VISIT THE EXECUTIVE AUTOCARE WEBSITE

DO YOU UTILISE INNOVATION OR TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR WORKPLACE?

BUSINESS ADDRESS 80 Doggett St, Newstead.

SERVICES PROVIDED Vehicle servicing and repairs, including steering and suspension, brakes and clutch, transmissions, and driveline repairs. We also offer tyre replacement and wheel re-alignment services.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN OPERATING?

Two years.

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

Our Newstead location makes us attractive to the growing number of inner city-living

We use the latest automotive diagnostics equipment to ensure prompt and accurate repairs are performed on our customers’ vehicles.

DO YOU HAVE WAYS OF SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY?

We ensure that we use local businesses for any building modifications and maintenance, and all automotive parts supplies are also sourced locally.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS (OR PEOPLE) YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF AND WHY?

Building this business into a profitable, healthy enterprise that has positive customer retention and loyalty.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 87

M TA Q U E E N S L A N D M E M B E R

K E I T H M C K AY S T Y R E S & M O R E HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN OPERATING?

65 years.

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

CLICK TO VISIT THE KEITH MCKAYS TYRES & MORE WEBSITE

Keith McKay Tyres and More is a family owned business and we delight in providing satisfaction to our customers. We service the area of Red Hill and the surrounding suburbs in Brisbane and deliver quality services and offer major tyre brands to fit the needs of most vehicles.

BUSINESS ADDRESS 153 Musgrave Road, Red Hill.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN OPERATING? SERVICES PROVIDED We perform mechanical servicing and repairs, XXXX. safety examinations, battery supply and fitment and general repairs, as well as the supply of quality wheels and tyres.

88 | Motor Trader August 2020

DO YOU UTILISE INNOVATION OR TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR WORKPLACE?

We use the latest diagnostic equipment to maintain and fault-find on all modern vehicles.

DO YOU HAVE WAYS OF SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY?

We sponsor our local rugby club, GPS Rugby.

M TA Q U E E N S L A N D M E M B E R

U LT R A T U N E C A R I N D A L E HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN OPERATING?

Since 2007 WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

CLICK TO VISIT THE ULTRA TUNE CARINDALE WEBSITE

Being a part of a nationwide franchise means we offer exceptional service and peace of mind to our customers.

DO YOU UTILISE INNOVATION OR TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR WORKPLACE?

We use all the most modern equipment and up-to-date scan tools to keep our client base and their variety of cars on the road.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS (OR PEOPLE) YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF AND WHY?

BUSINESS ADDRESS Westfield Homemaker Centre, H8/14 Carindale St, Carindale.

SERVICES PROVIDED Servicing, air conditioning, tyres, wheel alignments.

We’re very proud of this successful business that has been operating for over 13 years and have also acquired two other Ultra Tune franchises. We are extremely proud of all our staff and always try to give them the best opportunities available, offer career progression and all the training available to make them the best employee they can be.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 89

Industrial relations

EVANGELINE KANNIS SENIOR WORKPLACE RELATIONS ADVISOR

COVID19 CAUSES TESTING TIMES SOME EMPLOYERS QUESTION the use of paid sick leave when an employee looks OK but is waiting on COVID19 test results. Then there are other employees who come to work sick and the employer questions what rights they have to protect the rest of the employees and customers.

Or what do you do when an employee is in quarantine because of coronavirus government directives?

Recently in Queensland, a few employees have been told to go home by their employer because they have symptoms that include a runny nose or sore throat.

These employees cannot go to work if they need to quarantine or self-isolate for various reasons including that they: • need to get tested or are waiting for a coronavirus test result, • have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, or • are prohibited from leaving their home because of an enforceable government direction.

If an employee can’t work because they have to quarantine or self-isolate, they should contact their employer immediately to discuss leave or flexible working options.

90 | Motor Trader August 2020

Employees have a responsibility, under workplace health and safety laws, to take reasonable care not to adversely affect the health and safety of others at work. This means that an employee cannot be dismissed or injured in their employment if they need to quarantine or self-isolate to avoid the risk of spreading the virus in the workplace.

Employees can also request not to go to work because of a health condition that puts them at higher risk of getting coronavirus, where unpaid pandemic leave may be appropriate. An employer can ask their employee to give evidence that shows why they took the leave.

Other leave options may be considered during quarantine and selfisolation while the employer is enrolled in the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme for their eligible employees, such as annual and long service leave where there are accruals.

PAY DURING QUARANTINE AND SELF-ISOLATION Employees who are able to work from home during self-isolation or quarantine are to be paid for the work they do.

They may be entitled to receive Job Keeper, although other arrangements may be agreed.

Employers should also consider any award, employment contract or workplace policies that apply, because they could be more generous.

This article is not to be taken as providing advice as it provides only basic information about a complex area of workplace law.

There is more information in the CLICK TO VISIT MTAQ Member Portal, or please THE MTAQ KNOWLEDGE call MTAQs Workplace Relations BASE team with your questions on 07 3237 8777.

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E S S E N T I A L S

PAUL KULPA GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE

I

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August 2020 Motor Trader | 93

E S S E N T I A L S

T CERTAINLY HAS been a challenging time with the new COVID-19 ‘norm’ hanging over everything we do. The MTA Institute has adapted to these challenges and put in place a number of processes to ensure not only the safety of our staff, but of those stakeholders we work with day in and day out.

Whether this is the businesses we visit, the supervisors with whom we discuss training progression, or the students we are developing through skills and knowledge training.

It is important for us to be vigilant while under this COVID-19 cloud.

Our trainers are equipped with all the relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure a clean and hygienic workspace - be it the digital tablets or training aids we use. Our digital learning management system, MyProfiling, enables touchless IT hardware. Each student and supervisor can download the MyProfiling Application to their own device to ensure they are using their own hardware and further minimise any form of transmission.

The app is available from the AppStore and can be found by clicking HERE.

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Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

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Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

It is also great to see the Federal Government has unveiled a $2 billion skills and training package to expand wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees and deliver upskilling for workers who lost their jobs during COVID-19. Through the package, $1.5 billion has been committed to expanding and extending the wage subsidy currently in place for employed apprentices and trainees. This subsidy, which was due to end in September this year, has been extended by six months and will now end on 31 March 2021. This will no doubt support many businesses through the current COVID-19 environment.

Business still carries on and we are happy to support any late-stage apprentices and early tradespeople via the Automotive Industry Ambassador Program. This is a series of free short courses that offer leadership and communication skills to recently graduated apprentices who show leadership potential in the workplace.

Applications for the 2020 Automotive Industry Ambassador Program are now 94 | Motor Trader August 2020

“BUSINESS STILL CARRIES ON AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SUPPORT ANY LATE-STAGE APPRENTICES AND EARLY TRADESPEOPLE VIA THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.” open & further details can be found HERE. Furthermore, the MTA Institute is holding its apprentice graduation ceremony on Friday, 21 August 2020 from 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm (AEST). The graduation ceremonies occur twice over the period of a calendar year, celebrating the achievements of students who have successfully completed their apprenticeship. So if you’ve completed your apprenticeship with us in the first half of 2020, please contact events@mtaq. com.au to register your attendance. It is a great evening and given the circumstance so far this year, it’s something worthwhile celebrating.

J

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West End motorcycle shop. I knew Ellaspeed was the only shop down there and it was a dream job, so I went down and had a chat with them.”

That chat was with Phil Thieme, now the owner of Nippon Performance, and a handful of months into his apprenticeship, John found himself moving across Brisbane to the suburb of Wolloongabba to help Phil establish the new business – one that quickly gained a reputation for the quality of its work on bikes new and old.

“I have learnt so much here, from how to set OHN BANCROFT-ARNOTT IS the points on an old two-stroke enduro bike, to how to Apprentice of the Month for June 2020. machine parts, to rebuild engines, to doing dynoThe 29-year-old, fourth-year motorcycle tune work on fuel-injection bikes - heaps of stuff. I mechanic apprentice works with Nippon work on all these jobs and while, for me, it almost Performance in Brisbane and has been with the feels a bit normal, everyone I talk to who is still business since it was established in 2017. doing their apprenticeship says, ‘Wow, that’s pretty Nippon offers a wide range of services – from special.’ I am thankful to be here, that's for sure.” general maintenance to performance tuning to The passion John has for the industry has been restorations – on bikes of all ages, and it is, said proven in his work and in his training – the one-onJohn, a special place to learn your trade. one aspect of which he finds works well for him and “We specialise in Japanese motorcycles and which is delivered by experienced MTA Institute we do performance work, dyno tuning, engine trainer Ken Rahley. rebuilds – a lot of stuff. But not only do we work on “The one-on-one training has been terrific,” said the performance side of things, which is very cool, John. “Ken Rahley is my trainer and he has been in we are one of the few shops willing to work on old the industry for ages and is a legend. He knows so and vintage motorcycles. And the fact that I can go much and I am stoked to be able to work with him. into the shop and work on a 50-year-old Ducati is The training certainly works well for me.” special - it’s not often you get the chance to work on “John is a very conscientious apprentice,” said bikes like that.”

Ken. “He is always looking to expand his knowledge At 29, John is something of a latecomer to the and is evolving into a highly skilled motorcycle industry, but motorcycles have long been a part of mechanic. He is willing to invest in the equipment his life and he always wanted to learn more about needed to be a well-rounded technician, has them. The opportunity to turn that interest into a career came when he moved to Brisbane from NSW. completed all of the tasks I have asked him to do, and is achieving a very high standard.”

“I was always interested in bikes and everyone With perhaps only a year to go until he completes I had met who rides was pretty cool, so I knew I his training, John is focused on a future which will wanted to do something in the industry,” he said. “I allow him to get as much out of his time with Nippon was tinkering with the old bike I had - had serviced as possible. it and so on - but I’d never had the guts to tear right “Phil is my mentor I guess, and I am really happy into it and do a full engine rebuild or anything like doing what I am doing,” said John. “There is a that. I wanted to learn more.

CLICK lot I can learn at Nippon and I want to utilise “I was friends with a guy at Ellaspeed TO VISIT THE NIPPON my time here as best I can. I definitely want – a motorcycle shop in the West End of PERFORMANCE WEBSITE to stay here doing what I am doing and Brisbane– and when I was searching for learning as much as I can while I can.” bike-related jobs, I saw one advertised at a APPRENTICE: JOHN BANCROFT-ARNOTT WORKPLACE: NIPPON PERFORMANCE, BRISBANE APPRENTICESHIP: MOTORCYCLE MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

M E M B E R S

Apprentice of the Month: June 2020

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

96 | Motor Trader August 2020

I-CAR AUSTRALIA - the organisation that delivers information, training and education to the collision repair industry - is acknowledging the achievements of industry employees from across the country who have achieved I-CAR Platinum Individual accreditation and I-CAR Welding Certification.

The following is a list of Queenslandbased collision repair industry employees who received I-CAR Platinum Individual Accreditation in June 2020: • Tyden Hadwen Hadwens Presitge Collision Repairs • David Scott Suncorp • Matthew Evans Auto & General Insurance Services • Paul Murphy Suncorp • Thomas Kraushaar Suncorp • Corey Heaton Suncorp • Glen Torpy Suncorp • Scott Whitton Suncorp • Steve Nicholson Suncorp • Dave Gabolinscy Suncorp • Paul Milligan Suncorp • Jim Karamalidis Suncorp • Ross Street Suncorp • Shane Harry IAG • Brad Kent Suncorp • Stephen Hiscock Suncorp • Matthew Sheather Suncorp • Richard Lewis IAG • Robert Jones Suncorp • Stephen Dragt Suncorp • Tom Lane Suncorp • Grant Hogan Suncorp • John Muscat Suncorp • Graeme McCallum Suncorp • Andrew Burns Auto & General Insurance Services • Clay Turton Suncorp • Philip King IAG • Gregory Bradley IAG

• Gavin Moss • Richard Rattray • Michael Lowe • Kim Fitzpatrick • Paul Ghent • Michael Sauvage • Neville Dawson • Scott Douglas • Danny Anderson • Dean Fuller • Jean-Marc Benoit • John Cangiano • Peter Richards • Jason Cowen • Scott Beale • Greg Fry • Greg Redgen • Christopher Little • Allan Smith • Craig Taylor • Peter Miller • Steve Rynne • Mark Smith • Shayne Kelly • Ross Meadows • Adam Warner • Mitchell Gundling • Nathan Bulger • Giulio Ranelli • Stuart Gregory • Barry Wilson • Ross Jenkin • Scott Gregor • Adrian Power • Marc Young • Scott Chapman • Justin May • Brett McIntyre • Warren Elliott • Brett Mills • Sean Diamond • David Campbell • Kirk Millar • Scot Lynch • David Booth

IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG IAG Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp IAG Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp IAG IAG Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp RACQ Insurance Suncorp Suncorp Suncorp IAG IAG Bissell's Paint & Panel Suncorp IAG RACQ Insurance RACQ Insurance RACQ Insurance RACQ Insurance RACQ Insurance IAG Suncorp Suncorp August 2020 Motor Trader | 97

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ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN QUEENSLAND

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I-CAR Graduates

MTA INSTITUTE COURSES AIR CONDITIONING COURSE

SKILL SET GAP TRAINING (3 DAY) 19 - 21 August 2020 7 - 9 October 2020 Click for more information.

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1 - 4 September 2020 27 - 30 October 2020 Click for more information.

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27 July - 28 August 2020 SOLD OUT 28 September - 30 October 2020 Click for more information.

Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au

MTA QUEENSLAND COURSES MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE 24 November 2020, 8:30am - 12:30pm Click for more information.

24 November 2020 Click for more information.

AUTO CAMP

22 - 24 September 2020 9 - 11 December 2020 Click for more information.

Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtaq.com.au

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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE

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in the few training sessions we have had she has really impressed with her commitment,” he said.

“She has a genuine passion for the industry and has her own project car. She speaks about that car with a lot of pride and, as her trainer, that is wonderful to hear.”

That car is a 1979 Holden Gemini and, after five years of ownership, it has been as much a training tool as it has been a way to get from A to B. “Older cars tend not to be the most reliable,” said OLLOWING IN YOUR father’s footsteps is Stephanie. “About 12 months ago the engine blew something to which many of us can relate, and and I am now in the process of building a 1.8-litre, for 21-year-old Stephanie Williams, following fuel-injected, turbocharged, Isuzu motor for it. It is a her auto-electrician dad into the automotive industry pretty big job which I get to whenever I have time.” was all but guaranteed after spending many happy While the Gemini is a satisfying, solo project, the hours of her childhood working with him on the cars day-to-day work at CB Automotive is fun too. and hot rods that were their shared passion.

“I’m enjoying everything. Absolutely love it,” she “I have always had that passion for cars,” said said. “I don’t mind doing the bigger jobs and I do Stephanie. “For many years, my dad owned his enjoy the auto-electrical side of things too. In fact, own business in Browns Plains and we were always my plan is to earn the auto-electrical qualification as tinkering on the cars he had at the house and on the well. There are more electric cars coming, so having hot rods that we built together.” that qualification would definitely be a benefit.”

That early exposure to the mechanical and As a young woman working in what is still a maleauto-electrical world would lead to a first step into dominated industry, Stephanie said she had been the automotive industry as a receptionist/service determined from the start to be the best mechanic advisor at a large dealership operation before a she could be and being one of only a handful of move into the workshop as a light vehicle apprentice women in a workshop did not put her off her dream. came at the beginning of 2018.

“A few people told me I wasn’t going to be able After a couple of years, Stephanie moved to car to do it, but my attitude was that I would prove and truck service provider CB Automotive in January everybody wrong,” she said. “And I couldn’t ask for 2020 as she looked to continue her education at a more supportive boss or a better team. a smaller business with a more tight-knit team “I would recommend the industry to any woman,” and more varied work. That move included a shift she added. “You do have to be strong, but if you to training with the MTA Institute - a step that don’t take things too seriously, you’ll be good. There Stephanie said worked well for her. are a lot of supportive people in the industry.”

“I had heard a lot of great things about the MTA In another 18 months or so, Stephanie will have Institute and do prefer their way,” she said. “With completed her apprenticeship and more training one-on-one training, if there’s something you’re not may be on the cards. sure about, no matter how small, it will be covered, “I have looked at doing the heavy vehicle and it’s easier to ask questions and for things to be qualification as well as auto electrical,” she said. demonstrated. I definitely recommend it.”

“And I’d like to branch into the performance CLICK According to Andrew Bellars, Stephanie’s side of things as well.

TO VISIT THE MTA Institute trainer, her determination has CB AUTOMOTIVE “Ultimately, I would like to start and run WEBSITE made her a standout apprentice. a successful business with my dad. That “Stephanie is a new student of mine but has always been the dream.”

APPRENTICE: STEPHANIE WILLIAMS WORKPLACE: CB AUTOMOTIVE, YATALA APPRENTICESHIP: LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

M E M B E R S

Apprentice of the Month: July 2020

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Professional Circle Training

IDLE HANDS KEPT BUSY DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

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TA QUEENSLAND’S AUTO Camp - a three-day, school-holiday course designed to introduce 14 to 17 years olds to a range of automotive skills through hands-on training – was launched in 2018 and in July this year, another group of students successfully completed the educational program. The number of students was limited to eight due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, and the feedback from the teenagers and parents was outstanding, with students saying the course gave them a clearer understanding of what the automotive industry has to offer.

MTA Institute trainers have found the vast majority of students who enter the program do not realise the depth

100 | Motor Trader August 2020

CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AUTO CAMP

or breadth of pathways available in the automotive industry and that completing the course opens their minds to potential career options and sparks interest in new possibilities and opportunities they previously had not considered.

During the 2020 June/July school holidays, MTA Queensland welcomed eight sterling young men into the classrooms and workshops at the Association’s head office facility and it was, for some of the participants, their first time peering under a bonnet.

For Vendo Vincent, a young man who had, to this point, not expressed a serious interest in motor vehicles, the various aspects covered by the course sparked his curiosity into the potential of the industry

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form new connections and bond with like-minded teens while discovering prospective pathways at one of the most formative stages in their lives.

One of the students during the June/July Auto Camp turned 14 on the last day of the course.

This added another element of celebration to the final day as these eight strangers celebrated together, sharing a banquet of treats baked by the birthday boy’s mother.

As the year charges forward relentlessly, the September school holiday Auto Camp is now open for enrolment and the COVIDlimited spaces are already filling quickly.

Auto Camp gives students handson experience in a range of different automotive skills, from new technology such as Hybrid/Electric Vehicles to the principles and maintenance of a vehicle.

This course is a great experience for those interested in electronics, engineering, design or mechanics as a career pathway or are simply interested in working on cars as a hobby.

Find out more about Auto Camp and the dates for upcoming courses at mtaq.com.au

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as a career choice.

“This was my first time welding, which was my favourite part of the course, and surprisingly, I was pretty good!” he said.

“I got to take a tyre off a rim too and that was cool.”

When asked if he would consider an automotive apprenticeship post Auto Camp he said, “Probably, but I’m not too sure yet.”

Harrison Cox, who comes from a family of trackracing enthusiasts and first Vendo Vincent began slinging a wrench at the tender age of just eight, was equally enthused by the Auto Camp experience.

Harrison’s mother had heard about the course from a friend and immediately enrolled the enthusiastic youngster.

“My favourite part was trying to figure out all these new things about cars that I didn’t know about before, like the correct terminology for the engine parts,” he said.

“Probably the most exciting part was paint and panel because I’ve never done that before. It was pretty cool to see how all the machines and stuff work.”

Harrison now plans to take on a light vehicle mechanical apprenticeship in the near future.

As the Auto Camp participants come from different schools across Brisbane, the course is a great way for students to

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

Professional Circle training

Gabrielle Clift from Highfields Mechanical and Off Road is the first female winner of the Capricorn Rising Stars apprentice competition. (From left to right) Owner Craig Baills, Capricorn Sales Manager QLD Wayne Burton, Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year Gabrielle Clift and Co-Owner Katherine Baills.

MTA INSTITUTE APPRENTICE NAMED WINNER OF CAPRICORN RISING STAR AWARD

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HIRD-YEAR MTA INSTITUTE lightvehicle apprentice Gabrielle Clift has been named the top-performing automotive apprentice across Australia and New Zealand after taking out the 2020 Capricorn Rising Star award.

In a monumental achievement for the young apprentice from Highfields Mechanical & Offroad in Highfields, 102 | Motor Trader August 2020

Toowoomba, Gabrielle beat out a field of more than 250 of the most talented apprentices from across Australasia to take home the award.

Upon learning she had won the award, Gabrielle said she was ecstatic. “I am very humbled and honoured to receive this award. I’d like to congratulate all the other hard-working and deserving

“GABBY HAS AN ATTITUDE THAT CANNOT BE TAUGHT AND A WORK ETHIC THAT IS RARE. SHE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR TEAM AND AN EMPLOYEE THAT IMPROVES THE PERFORMANCE OF THOSE AROUND HER.”

NOMINATE FOR THE MTA INSTITUTE APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH AWARD • Are you employing an apprentice who is excelling in the workplace?

• Do you have a high-achieving apprentice colleague?

• Are they training with MTA Institute?

If the answer is 'yes', then nominate them for the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month award.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO August 2020 Motor Trader | 103

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“Gabby has an attitude that cannot be taught and a work ethic that is rare. She is an integral part of our team and an employee that improves the performance of those around her,” said Craig.

For winning the Capricorn Rising Star award, Gabrielle received a prize pack that includes an all-expenses-paid Castrol Supercars Experience, as well as a Workshop Whisperer Leaders Academy Training pack.

Additionally, each of the awards five finalists, including Gabrielle, took home a $1,000 Repco voucher, a 12-month subscription to Repco’s Autopedia Technical Support Service, tickets to two Repco Masterclass Clinics and a 12-month subscription to Autodata Training.

Highfields Mechanical was also awarded 150,000 Capricorn bonus points for nominating the winning apprentice.

Gabrielle is the first female to take out With the Capricorn Rising Star award the Capricorn Rising Star award, which is in the trophy cabinet, Gabrielle will now in its third year. now look towards the MTA Institute Having overseen Gabrielle’s Apprentice of the Year Award, where development since she arrived at she has been nominated after Highfields to undertake a lightCLICK receiving the Apprentice of the TO VISIT vehicle apprenticeship, Highfields THE HIGHFIELDS Month award for December 2019. owner Craig Baills heaped MECHANICAL The 2020 MTAI Apprentice of praised on the apprentice, saying WEBSITE the Year will be announced this she had established herself as year at a special hybrid event on 16 an important member of the Highfields team.

October.

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nominees who are forging a career in automotive,” said Gabrielle.

The Capricorn Rising Star award was established to recognise high-performing apprentices in the automotive industry who show initiative in the workshop, eagerness to learn and a commitment to the auto industry.

The award aims to promote the excellence achieved by up-and-coming apprentices to attract the best talent to the industry and retain high-performing individuals.

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

Professional Circle training

OLDMAC MAZDA OPENS NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICE CENTRE

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HE LONG-ESTABLISHED, BRISBANE-BASED Oldmac Group, has opened a new service centre for its Mazda dealership at Springwood.

The company opened the stunning service hub in June and it is a major upgrade from its old service location.

The new premises – delivered by design, engineering and construction consultancy Multi Span Australia – offers a full range of services to customers, from scheduled maintenance to major overhauls and rebuilds, and has a number of top-ofthe-line customer-friendly features and facilities, including full driveway service, a courtesy bus facility, early bird check-in, a waiting lounge, complimentary WiFi, and a café. And with brand new equipment and 17 hoists installed - with room for four more – the workshop is as state-of-the-art as it gets.

Moving into larger premises was a priority for the company, said Service Manager Ray Stewart. With the previous service centre at the same location as the Mazda dealership showroom, there was simply no space to extend the workshop.

“We were ‘land-locked’ and really had

no room to expand,” said Ray. “We had 17 parking bays but were doing up to 65 cars each day and we were sharing those 17 parks with the new car, used car and spare parts departments. We had one door in and out of the workshop and putting 65 cars through there meant that could cause something of a bottleneck.”

The new service centre has enabled new processes to be introduced and allows for greater capacity and better workflow.

“It’s chalk and cheese now," said Ray. “We have gone from 12 bays to now having 17 bays with hoists, one spare bay and the provision to put in four more bays should we need to do so. And we are much more efficient here. We have one door in and three doors out, we have undercover parking and we have the driveway service, which is something we just couldn’t have at the old building.

“That driveway service means we have guys here before 7am each morning meeting customers and booking them in, and that speeds up the whole process.”

In the workshop itself, each technician is allocated a bay, which becomes their

Ray Stewart, Service Manager

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

Oldmac Mazda Service Centre, Springwood

‘personal’ work area – a feature that, Ray across the industry as a whole regarding the said, had proved a popular initiative at importation of parts, the pandemic has not other Oldmac locations. had the impact once feared.

“Each technician has a bay and a hoist, “We were more than halfway through the and their name is on that bay,” he said. “This refurbishment when the pandemic hit, but was something we started at our Redlands we did not stop,” said Ray. “Our servicing dealership and the guys there really enjoy work did reduce to maybe about 80 per having that responsibility. It gives them a cent of where we had been, but we weren’t sense of ownership over that bay and they impacted anywhere near as badly as we show pride in where they are working.” were expecting. It wasn’t as bad for our Allowances have also been made for industry as it was for others and we were future technologies. While Mazda has certainly fortunate to be classified as an stated it will continue to have faith in and essential service and were able to stay open. develop combustion engine technology, “Parts are really the issue now, as it is for the company has dipped its toe into the everyone,” he added. “There are delays on electrification world with the MX-30 some parts, so lots of forward planning is electric vehicle. Oldmac Mazda’s service required as, unfortunately, nothing in that centre does have the capability to line is being manufactured in this country. incorporate charging station technology “The lockdown did delay our opening when and if it is required. here at the service centre by a couple of The new service centre is certainly being weeks because much of the tooling and put through its paces – on the day of Motor items such as the scissor hoists came from Trader’s visit, 85 cars had been booked Europe. However, things have been back to in – but earlier this year, as the COVID-19 normal for quite a while now.” pandemic and resulting lockdown The Oldmac Group was established requirements across the community came in 1976 by Graham Oldham and Jock into effect, it was something of a nervous MacGregor and along with the Mazda time for the Oldmac team. However, dealership and service centre at CLICK TO there was no thought of delaying Springwood, the Group comprises VISIT THE the build, and although servicing of a Mazda dealership at Redland OLDMAC MAZDA SERVICE CENTRE work did slow down, and there as well as an MG and two Toyota WEBSITE is a continuing question mark dealership locations.

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Plugged In: Explaining Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Tech KEITH MINCHIN TECHNICAL ELECTRICAL TRAINER MTA INSTITUTE

AUTOMOTIVE HIGH-VOLTAGE AND ISOLATION LEAKAGE ALL TECHNICIANS ENGAGED in the automotive industry have become accustomed to the standard 12/24V automotive power distribution network.

The negative connection of the battery is connected to the vehicle’s chassis and engine block. This method simply uses the body as a current return path to the battery which reduces weight, complexity, and cost, reducing the need for additional ground wiring.

In the case of HEV & BEV high-voltage systems, the chassis of the vehicle cannot be used as the negative connection due to the risk of electric shock. In the event of an unforeseen electrical fault, the system must be able to detect a leakage current and disable the power supply. High-voltage systems (voltages over 60V) have a number of benefits and are a necessary feature of all strong hybrid and EVs due to large power requirements. Since power is a function of voltage x amps, increasing voltage supply provides the ability to create a relatively large amount of power (watts) while keeping the current (amps) relatively low. This has the advantage of reducing wiring / conductor sizes and a reduction in I2R losses (voltage drop) which occur due to wiring/conductor length.

Automotive standard J1766 and US FMVSS 305 standards (electrolyte spillage and electric shock protection) dictate that at least 500Ί/V of isolation resistance 106 | Motor Trader August 2020

must be maintained from high-voltage systems to chassis ground. The HEV/ EV control system will be designed to disconnect high-voltage relays and discharge any DC-linked capacitors.

The design performance parameters for the isolation detection circuitry are quite specific and must comply with the following minimum standards: Voltage measurement accuracy: 0.624% Isolated leakage current accuracy: 0.621% ISO_POS accuracy: 0.48% ISO_NEG accuracy: 0.126% From the standards / values above, it can be seen that a very small amount of leakage current can trigger a detected leakage event which will result in a disconnection of power supply and render the vehicle unusable.

The Figure 1 circuit diagram shows a typical leakage detection circuit in an inverting op-amp configuration.

Although it is not a concern, nor would it be desirable for the average technician to design such a circuit, it is an advantage to be aware of the function of the circuit and the effect that insulation damage or degradation will have on a vehicle.

Typically, a high-voltage isolation fault code P0AA6 will be set when an isolation break-down is detected. In this situation, the technician must be vigilant when investigating the cause of the fault as the leakage could occur in the vicinity of the battery pack and high voltage may be present despite standard depowering procedures.

Insulation leakages can occur due to a number of factors such as mechanical damage, vibration, excessive temperatures, corrosive vapours, moisture and humidity. Sometimes, a drop in insulation resistance can be sudden, such

as when a vehicle is exposed to a flood event. However, it usually drops gradually.

A component with poor insulation not only may be dangerous to touch when voltage is applied but may burn out.

Obviously, EV/HEV leakage currents can occur wherever high voltage is present.

Since leakage can occur in such things as electric motor windings, invertor/convertor assemblies, high-voltage harnesses, battery packs and management systems, a technician needs the appropriate tooling and equipment to test insulation.

Testing insulation with a standard multimeter is not sufficient since the applied test voltage is in the vicinity of 4

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“... IT IS AN ADVANTAGE TO BE AWARE OF THE FUNCTION OF THE CIRCUIT AND THE EFFECT THAT INSULATION DAMAGE OR DEGRADATION WILL HAVE ON A VEHICLE.”

volts. A much higher voltage is required to test insulation performance designed for highvoltage applications.

An insulation tester is usually a hand-held device similar to a multimeter and often includes many multimeter functions such as voltage, resistance etc. The insulation tester will usually allow the user to select several levels of test voltage up to around 1000V or more.

The measured resistance will be a function of the applied voltage and the resultant current.

When the voltage is applied there will be three factors influencing the current flow: 1. Capacitance charging current

Current that starts out high and drops as the circuit charges to the applied voltage.

2. Absorption current

Also starts out high and then drops, similar to capacitance charging.

However, the effect is due to materials such as insulators and capacitor dielectric material polarising in response to the applied charge.

3. Conduction / Leakage current

The conduction or leakage current is basically the remaining current measured once the capacitance and absorption currents have diminished.

For this reason, leakage current tests are performed by leaving the tester connected for a period, usually around one minute. However, always refer to the equipment’s user guide.

M E M B E R S

Figure 1

Figure 2 – components of current measured during insulation test 100 90 80 70 60 50

CAPACITANCE CHARGING CURRENT

40

CURRENT - MICROAMPERES

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

Plugged In: Explaining Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Tech

TOTAL CURRENT

30 25 20 15 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

CONDUCTION OR LEAKAGE CURRENT

3 2.5 2

ABSORBTION CURRENT

1.5 1

.1

.15

.2

.25

.3

.4

.5

.6

.7 .8 .9 1.0

1.5

2

2.5

3

4

5

6

7

8 9 10

SECONDS Figure 2 demonstrates the characteristics of a leakage test performed over a 10-second period.

It can be seen that the capacitance current reduces quickly whereas absorption current component reduces at a slower rate. Once the capacitance and absorption currents have diminished, the leakage current is the major part of the remaining current which serious injury. For that reason, strict settles at around 10 micro-amps. design standards have been implemented As stated earlier, automotive standards and are adhered to by manufacturers. specify a minimum insulation resistance Similarly, technicians should take care of 500Ω/V and with a simple Ohms law to invest in quality correctly rated test calculation the maximum allowable equipment, PPE and training to ensure leakage current can be determined. In safe working practices are adhered to. practice, most systems insulation will It is recommended that anyone exceed the minimum requirement and engaging in HEV/BEV servicing and with a bit of familiarisation using a repair should have accessed resistance tester a fault can usually appropriately accredited training CLICK TO be identified quite easily. and be familiar with the various VISIT THE systems encountered.

The dangers of high-voltage MTA INSITUTE Until next time, work safe systems cannot be over-stated WEBSITE and take care. as direct contact will result in

“IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THE CAPACITANCE CURRENT REDUCES QUICKLY WHEREAS ABSORPTION CURRENT COMPONENT REDUCES AT A SLOWER RATE.”

108 | Motor Trader August 2020

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Concept corner

SKODA SLAV 110 | Motor Trader August 2020

VIA CONCEPT August 2020 Motor Trader | 111

Concept corner

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HIS IS RATHER impressive – the Skoda Slavia concept, designed by 31 trainees attending the Skoda vocational school in Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic.

Students of the school have been churning out concepts for the past seven years – projects designed to demonstrate the high standard of Skoda’s in-house training - and this one is very tidy indeed.

A spider variant of the Skoda Scala hatchback, the Slavia concept shares much of the Scala’s underpinnings - the 1.5 TSI 110kW petrol engine, seven-speed DCT, the front and rear axle, steering, the complete electronics including cabling as well as the assistance systems. The instrument panel, Virtual Cockpit and infotainment system have also remained unchanged.

However, the students performed

112 | Motor Trader August 2020

A SPIDER VARIANT OF THE SKODA SCALA HATCHBACK, THE SLAVIA CONCEPT SHARES MUCH OF THE SCALA’S UNDERPINNINGS . . . numerous modifications to the car’s body.

They reinforced the underbody, removed the roof, and welded the rear doors in place, turning the compact hatchback into a two-door two-seater. To redirect the airflow over the vehicle, they developed a special cover with twin speedster humps behind the seats, which blends into a new boot lid featuring an integrated rear spoiler. 20-inch alloy wheels from the Skoda Kodiaq RS add to the concept’s tastily sporty look. The brake system and

August 2020 Motor Trader | 113

114 | Motor Trader August 2020

wheel hubs come from the Octavia RS. The redesigned underfloor area houses a modified exhaust system.

Other nice touches include the white high-tech paint finish - consisting of three layers that results in a pearlescent effect – and the programmable LEDs, positioned below the side sills and behind the alloy wheels, that provide user-configurable exterior ambient lighting.

The sporty feel reaches the interior too where there are four-point seat belts and SPARCO racing seats. Black leather features throughout with white contrast stitching and the black leather parcel shelf features two embroidered lions that house two sunken bass speakers. The subwoofer

THE SPORTY FEEL REACHES THE INTERIOR TOO WHERE THERE ARE FOUR-POINT SEAT BELTS AND SPARCO RACING SEATS. has an output of 2,250 watts, with the remaining speakers adding another 320 watts. A nod to the future of mobility sits in the boot - the Slavia boot accommodates two Skoda electric scooters.

You have to say that if this is the sort of thing students are designing today, then the future looks like it will be filled with cars we’ll all want to drive. Nice stuff.

August 2020 Motor Trader | 115

Investment matters

MARKET WRAP

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OMESTICALLY, THE S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index was up 0.50% during the period. The best performing sector was Materials (+5.8%), as commodity prices recovered and the price of gold rallied. The uncertainty in the market, as well as fears of the increasing money supply due to fiscal stimulus have been key to gold’s rise. Information technology was an outperformer again, spurred once more by Afterpay (APT +25.0%) and helped by cloud service providers NextDC (NXT +17.1%) and Megaport (MP1 +10.4%) – all of which are expected to benefit from the pandemic.

Healthcare was a key underperformer during the period as CSL (CSL -6.7%) continued to fall from its April highs as the concerns around collection centre volumes grow. Industrials also underperformed, with concerns about a second wave’s impact on the economy seeing cyclical names weaker.

Internationally, equities finished mostly higher during the period, determined to look through the pandemic despite signs of second waves in many nations.

Chinese equities (CSI 300 +12.8%) vastly outperformed peers as COVID cases remain controlled and retail market participants bid the index higher, similar to the speculative behaviour in 2015.

Despite this, the index still lags the NASDAQ on a 12-month basis, as the big tech stocks pushed the US Index 6.8% higher during the month, with the S&P 116 | Motor Trader August 2020

“CHINESE EQUITIES (CSI 300 +12.8%) VASTLY OUTPERFORMED PEERS AS COVID CASES REMAIN CONTROLLED AND RETAIL MARKET PARTICIPANTS BID THE INDEX HIGHER, SIMILAR TO THE SPECULATIVE BEHAVIOUR IN 2015.”

500 adding 5.5%. Asia was mixed with Korea (KOSPI +6.9%), Hong Kong (Hang Seng +0.7%) and Japan (Nikkei 225 -2.6%) underperforming the broader emerging markets (MSCI EM +7.6%).

Lagging the rest of the world was Europe (MSCI Europe -0.7%) and the UK (FTSE -4.4%), despite landmark fiscal policy announced within the period.

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

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