Motor Trader e-magazine, February 2018

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOTOR TRADES ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND

MEMBER'S CLASSIC: 1965 HOLDEN HD UTILITY

The benchmark of industry standards.

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Visit www.mtaq.com.au today

Contents Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland

Search for MTA Queensland

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

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

Simply search “MTA Queensland.”

EDITOR Jonathan Nash ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic

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

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

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

Click here to subscribe

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

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

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

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MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848

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CORPORATE PARTNERS

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02 From the editor 04 From the desk of the CEO 08 Policy/Viewpoint

20170626

12 MTA Q&A

MICHAEL WEBER FROM MICHAEL WEBER PRESTIGE AND PERFORMANCEE

MEMBERS ESSENTIALS 49 Training GM's Professional Circle perspective 50 Professional Circle training 60 Member matters

Feature 16 SHOWTIME IN MOTOR CITY: THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

63 Member profiles

28 MTAQ Racing Team

68 Industrial relations

36 Members Classic HEAVY D-UTE-Y: 1965 HOLDEN HD UTILITY

70 Investment matters MARKET WRAP

64 Concept Corner KIA NIRO EV CONCEPT

February 2018 Motor Trader | 1

From the editor

JONATHAN NASH EDITOR

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ELLO AND WELCOME to our first Motor Trader edition of 2018.

It was a packed ending to 2017 and this year is shaping up to be just as busy.

For example, the Carmageddon events, that were such a success in 2017 in highlighting the technological advances heading our way, will this year be part of the business innovation showcase called the Myriad Festival, to be held in May. It’s a huge event and some amazing technological and business developments will be on show.

MTA Queensland will be heavily involved and we will have more on this exciting event in future Motor Trader editions.

Other activities rolling out this year will be our first Cars & Coffee gathering, various industry networking events, the MTAQ Racing Team's sophomore season in

the Hyundai X3 Racing Series and . . . well, I could fill a whole page with the list. Keep your eye on Motor Trader and the weekly Member Bulletin email for more news!

But while we look forward to an exciting 2018, we must also take a look back to last year one more time and to December's annual MTA Institute trainers’ conference.

The conference brings together MTA Institute trainers to collaborate and discuss industry issues, and is also where the Trainer of the Year is announced.

The 2017 award was presented to Peter Jaensch and you can read more about Peter, and the conference, from page 52.

Also this month, we look the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Held every January, it is a blockbuster show and we highlight some of this year’s arresting new auto reveals from page 16.

We also have industry news, our regular Member’s Classic and MTA Q&A features, and a host of other interesting reads.

I hope you enjoy this edition and if you want to let me know of any news you'd like to share; or have a classic bike, car or truck we could feature, then please email me.

Cheers!

Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au

MTA QUEENSLAND WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS Business Name

Principal/s

Address

Email

Division

BDS Mechanical Repairs Pty Ltd Beaurepaires Lawnton Brisbane Fork Truck Service CK Motors Downtime Solutions Ian's Service & Repairs KPR Automotive

Benjamin Sullivan Steve Heath Russell Lambe Venetia Walsh Shane Downes Geoff Bowman Peter Reynolds

23 Sheridan Street, BUNDABERG EAST Q 4670 663 Gympie Road, LAWNTON Q 4501 334 New Cleveland Road, TINGALPA Q 4173 6 Burnett Street, YEPPOON Q 4703 7 Hugh Quinn Crescent, CHARTERS TOWERS Q 4820 Unit 9 / 3-12 Veness Court, GARBUTT Q 4814 1/17 Counihan Road, SEVENTEEN MILE ROCKS Q 4073

bundyaccounts@bdsmechanical.com.au Lawnton.qld@beaurepaires.net.au russell@bfts.com.au cks@ckmtoors.com.au info@dtsservicecentre.com.au thebowmanclanptyltd@bigpond.com kprautomotive@outlook.com

AED TUDQ RVID AED AED AED AED

Memmotts Automotive Mobile Roadworthy Guys Townsville Mount Gravatt Mazda Southside Auto Electrics Wechsels Auto Services

Ray Memmott Melissah Anderson Julian Mason Chris Economidis Stephen Kathy

Unit 1/14 Cox Road, WINDSOR Q 4030 17 Churinga Street, KIRWAN Q 4817 1350 Logan Road, MOUNT GRAVATT QLD 4122 5 Mountjoy Street, WOOLLOONGABBA Q 4102 5 Goodwood Road, CHILDERS Q 4660

rmemmotts@gmail.com mobileroadworthyguystsv@gmail.com Mgm.reception@mountgravattmazda.com.au info@southsideautoelectrics.com.au wechautoservice@m2data.com.au

AED AED AADA AED AED

2 | Motor Trader February 2018

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From the desk of the CEO

BRETT DALE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND

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that encourage business model adaption; strategy development and implementation; and to innovate using new products to advantage their enterprises. However, there is a subtle change! Carmageddon now will be featured in the global Myriad Festival which showcases startups, innovation and next-generation technology. It is presented in partnership with the State Government‘s Advance Queensland. The MTA Queensland will be a key Myriad Festival sponsor and exhibitor where it will be showcased as an industry leader in the automotive, transport and mobility space through a combination of program content and activation displays.

The Myriad Festival connects start-ups, investors, brands, governments and students through an action-packed, three-day festival of interactive workshops, product demonstrations, networking events and keynote presentations. It contributes to the creation of investment

APPY NEW YEAR to you from us all at the corporate office! The MTA Queensland’s commercial, innovation, training, financial, advocacy and service architecture is ready to assist you in realising a successful and profitable 2018 for you and your enterprises.

The team is in place to lead the way in what I anticipate will be a busy and exciting year amidst a period of change as technologies such as electrification, connected and automated driving, and artificial intelligence make significant progress. But it must be kept in mind there’ll never be driverless businesses!

The Association will continue to develop our three-pronged approach to ensure that we provide the full 360 degree of support to the automotive value chain.

Myriad Festival This includes the leadership to represent the needs of business, the future workforce and skilling requirements to shape the future of industry through the MTA CARMAGEDDON NOW WILL Institute. Important too, is presenting new opportunities through the innovation BE FEATURED IN THE GLOBAL MYRIAD FESTIVAL WHICH hub to our members and new entrants to industry in the form of start-ups.

SHOWCASES START-UPS, The Carmageddon initiative will INNOVATION AND NEXTcontinue to inform members of emerging GENERATION TECHNOLOGY. technologies related to the digital economy

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opportunities for start-ups, partnerships for corporate organisations and procurements for governments. The Myriad Festival has the potential to take Carmageddon to the world stage. At the 2017 Festival, there was 3,300 total audience participation (including satellite events), 164 exhibitors, and 1,000 high school and university students participating in the Myriad High program. There were 149 speakers (33 interstate, 49 interstate, 53 local, 14 regional) and 98 sessions.

The Myriad Festival will be held from Wednesday 16 May to Friday 18 May at the RNA Showgrounds, where there is ample parking. I urge you to get involved and lock the dates in your schedule. At the 2017 Myriad Festival, 46 per cent of ticket holders were associated with the start-up sector and 56 per cent were decision makers within their businesses. There will be more information on the website, in future editions of Motor Trader and I will highlight key facts in From the desk of the CEO. One of the exhibitors at the Myriad Festival will be the international company Local Motors. It is a technology company that designs, builds and sells vehicular products through micro-manufacturing (producing parts directly from digital files using processes such as large-scale 3D printing) and co-creation. The advantages of Advanced 3D printing include profitability at lower volumes, being customisable and upgradeable, rapid vehicle development and recyclable materials.

Recently, I met with Local Motors representatives, and after a fulsome discussion discerned that the business model of micro-manufacturing producing vehicular products had significant potential for the automotive and logistic industries.

We have agreed to collaborate further, particularly as there are synergies that may

“BY 2030, NINETY-FIVE

PERCENT OF U.S. PASSENGER MILES TRAVELLED WILL BE SERVED BY ON-DEMAND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES OWNED BY FLEETS NOT INDIVIDUALS.” advantage clients in our innovation hub.

I’m convinced that we must be motivated about the next generation of smart mobility vehicles. Compared to other first world countries, the transport technological disruption of electric vehicles in our nation has been slow. There is time for our businesses to innovate and be part of the change and not be left in limbo.

For example, according to United States (U.S.) industry research, the automotive sector is ‘on the cusp of one of the fastest, deepest most consequential disruptions of transportation in history. By 2030, ninetyfive percent of U.S. passenger miles travelled will be served by on-demand autonomous vehicles owned by fleets not individuals.’

Further studies have indicated alarming consequences, such as U.S. auto sales declining by some 40 to 70 per cent by 2040 and manufacturers such as GM and Ford cutting their north American production by 68 per cent and 58 per cent respectively.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 5

From the desk of the CEO ADVOCACY As Deputy CEO Kellie Dewar indicates in Viewpoint, we wrote congratulatory letters to newly commissioned cabinet ministers and appointed shadow ministers with responsibilities relevant to the automotive value chain and all elected members of parliament. In the coming days we will be establishing relationships with the new ministers and shadow ministers to open dialogue on key automotive industry policies and issues. Like Kellie, I encourage members to reach out to your local members of parliament to inform on local sector and business conditions.

In previous From the desk of the CEO, I mentioned that I met with the Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF) to discuss support for an automotive industry graduates program. Consequently, MTA Queensland committed to be a sponsor of the QOF and the program that provides vocational education and training graduates and professionals with the opportunity to broaden their vocational horizons and improve their career prospects by working overseas.

The program enables young leaders to travel internationally to experience emerging technologies and bring back the knowledge to the Australian/Queensland market.

A recent QOF Board of Governors meeting offered MTA Queensland one seat on the Board. Positions have been offered also to TAFE Qld and Apprentice Employment Network – both of which have long-standing relationships with QOF. I will be attending an upcoming meeting of the Board of Governors which will be followed by a strategic review of priorities and funding guidelines. By way of background, QOF was established in 1976, is sponsored by industry and supported 6 | Motor Trader February 2018

by the Queensland Government. The Governor of Queensland is the Patron.

AND THE LAST THING EV North, owned by Michael Lunn, was announced at the 2017 President’s Ball as the winner of the MTA Queensland innovation award for rebuilding internal combustion engine vehicles to run as plugin electric vehicles. It would be assumed that this innovative enterprise would be valued, assisted and encouraged by any local community. Not so! The Townsville City Council ordered it to close over a noise dispute after a Tea House and Gallery complained about ‘drilling and banging and hammering’.

Regional centres need innovative enterprises and electric vehicle conversion would be beneficial, especially for local business fleets. Mr Lunn said that commencing the start-up had been difficult and has taken a teaching position at a local school whilst considering his future. Moving to Brisbane was an option and I indicated to Mr Lunn that we would look for ways to assist either by collaborating with other MTA Queensland businesses and offering strategic advice.

My focus in the coming month - apart from preparing for the Board meeting - will be to progress the Group’s commercial interests, promote the innovation hub and the MTA Institute, collaborate with the Myriad Festival’s organisers and establish relationships with the newly commissioned cabinet ministers and appointed shadow ministers with portfolios relative to the automotive value chain.

Until March, 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’.

Take charge of your super How combining your super could save you hundreds of dollars each year

Camilla Bird, a 27-year-old apprentice mechanic from Sydney, may be a long way off finishing work but she can already picture her retirement years.

Camilla has her heart set on retiring to the country when the time comes and living her dream of establishing an organic food production operation.

“Before I got my start as a motor apprentice, I took jobs in hospitality and administration to make ends meet,’’ she said.

“I had multiple super accounts with small balances, slowly being eaten away by fees so I did some research and decided to open an account with MTAA super and roll everything in.”

Camilla intends to carve out a long career in motoring. Further down the track, she’d like to return to her farmland roots where she learned the lessons of car care early.

Camilla is one of a growing number of Aussies who have consolidated their super to save themselves the cost of multiple sets of fees and increase their overall savings.

MTAA Super CEO Leeanne Turner said the Fund offered a Supermatch service which searched for and consolidated members’ multiple super accounts for free.

“We received over 10,000 requests in 2016/2017 to search for lost super.”

“Most of the requests came through our online portal Member Super Site where members can elect to use their TFN to find their super.”

“The service is also available to new MTAA Super members at the time of joining the fund. During the July 2016–June 2017 period, we helped 970 MTAA Super members consolidate approximately $13M of super. This included super from their other accounts, unclaimed monies at AUSFund or undistributed government co-contributions at the ATO.” Ms Turner said “Account fees which comprise administrative and investment fees can have a material impact on retirement balances. With 40% of Australians having two or more super accounts, multiple fees can result in hundreds of dollars in fees over the course of a year or tens of thousands over a 30-year working lifetime. Enabling our members to find and consolidate their super in an easy, streamlined way is critical to protecting their long-term retirement savings.”

As part of its 2017 Annual Statement mailout, MTAA Super introduced members to its new three step process which enables them to find and consolidate their super online.

The search which requires members’ consent to use their TFN, queries the ATO’s unclaimed super monies database as well as the databases of other funds. If lost super or unclaimed money is located, it can be rolled into members’ accounts within 3–5 days. Over the coming months, MTAA Super will offer this capability directly from its website and Member Services portal so members can take this important step towards increasing their retirement savings.

Bring your super together Read more about finding lost super, taking us with you to your new job, and combining your accounts at mtaasuper.com.au/combine

1300 362 415 mtaasuper.com.au/combine

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

Policy/Viewpoint

KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES

H

APPY NEW YEAR! My team and I are refreshed after the festive season break and ready for any challenges that 2018 may bring. My focus, and that of my staff, will continue to be the delivery of all MTA Queensland services professionally, efficiently and courteously to members across Queensland.

The general outlook for the Queensland economy, according to advocates, is for favourable economic growth supported by sound business conditions. Consumer sentiment is ‘cautiously optimistic’.

Offsetting this view is that energy costs will be a drag, and two-thirds of the state, or 120 million hectares, covering 35 council areas, are officially drought declared, impacting all businesses in that area.

2017 ended with a rush of activity. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its final report following its extensive market study on new car retailing. We made several submissions to this study. The ACCC recommended key reforms: • A new mandatory scheme be introduced setting out the rules for car manufacturers to share technical information to repair and service new cars with independent repairers. Any 8 | Motor Trader February 2018

mandatory scheme must be available on commercially ‘fair and reasonable terms’, and have safeguards to enable environmental, safety and security related technical information to be shared with the independent sector.

• Car manufacturers should transform their approach to the handling of consumer guarantee claims or risk action for non-compliance with the Australian Consumer Law. In addition, the ACCC recommended manufacturers: - update their complaints handling systems to ensure consideration of consumer guarantee rights are embedded in all relevant systems, policies and procedures.

- Review their dealer agreements, policies and procedures to ensure their commercial arrangements with dealers do not contain unfair contract terms.

• The Federal Government introduce more realistic laboratory tests for fuel consumption and emissions, and an on-road ’real driving emissions’ test to give new car buyers more accurate information.

As is our practice, we forwarded to the Commonwealth Treasury’s Budget Division MTA Queensland’s priorities for consideration in determining the content of the 2018-19 budget. It is on the website.

Before going on leave, and following the State election, we forwarded congratulatory letters to newly commissioned Premier and Cabinet ministers with portfolios relevant to the motor trades. All elected State Parliamentarians were congratulated, advising each that the MTA Queensland had members with businesses in each of their electorates. I encourage members to go into their Member of Parliament’s electorate office and say ‘hello’ to staff.

“. . . I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME NON-PUNITIVE MEASURES IMPLEMENTED THAT FAVOUR SAFE DRIVING INCLUDED IN THE SUITE OF ROAD SAFETY POLICIES TO DETER CRASHES AND ACCIDENTS FROM SPEEDING.” ROAD SAFETY As a general rule, I take a close interest in road safety policies and any associated comments. As a consequence, I’ve been following the debate on the effectiveness of unmarked and marked speed cameras.

Statistically, during the 2016-17 financial year in Queensland, 106,741 notices were issued by unmarked mobile speed cameras and 163,176 notices issued by marked mobile speed cameras. Different views on the effectiveness of both unmarked mobile and marked speed cameras as a road safety measure have emerged.

On the one hand, unmarked and marked mobile speed cameras have been slated as ‘government revenue raising’ and ‘do nothing to affect the road toll’. On the other, research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre indicated that a mix of both covert and overt mobile speed cameras would produce the best road safety outcomes. This was due to the strong effect that covert cameras have on fatality crashes (as their unknown nature suppresses vehicle speeds across the road network combined with the substantial general effect overt cameras have on casualty crashes).

From my perspective, I would like to see some non-punitive measures implemented that favour safe driving included in the suite of road safety policies to deter

crashes and accidents from speeding.

This could include discounts on yearly registration, compulsory third party insurance and other related imposts for safe driving. The cost of the discounts could be offset by savings from the need for police, ambulance and hospital attendance at crashes and accident sites.

I intend to raise the concept with the Department of Transport and Main Roads officers at our next scheduled meeting.

It makes sense to have the discussion.

For the 12-month period, 1 January to 31 December 2017 there were 248 fatalities within Queensland, which is three fatalities (or 1.2 per cent) less than the previous 12-month period (251).

ABS SALES OF NEW MOTOR VEHICLES DATA The Australian Bureau of Statistics has discontinued the publication of sales of new motor vehicles data - - December 2017 was the final issue. Commencing from January 2018, sales of new motor vehicles data (in original terms) is available from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries website www.fcai.com.au/sales.

The last publication indicated that, on a trend basis, there was minimal difference on the sales of new motor vehicle difference between the months of November (19,410) and December (19,419).

December 2016’s new motor vehicle sales of 18,818 were surpassed in December 2017 by 601 (+3.2 per cent). Nationally, sports utility vehicles was the strongest segment increasing (trend) by +0.5 per cent to record 39,643 new sales.

TAX NEWS The Australian Taxation Office has advised the write-off threshold of $20,000 has been extended to 30 June 2018. This means the business portion can be February 2018 Motor Trader | 9

Policy/Viewpoint immediately deducted in your tax return.

The $20,000 threshold applied from 12 May 2015 and will reduce to $1,000 from 1 July 2018. To be eligible the business must have a turnover less than $10 million and the asset must be first used or installed ready for use in the income year it is claimed. In our prebudget submission for the Federal 2018-19 budget, we strongly advocated a further extension of this measure.

BP - PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF WOOLWORTHS' RETAIL SERVICE STATION SITES Prior to Christmas, the ACCC announced its intention to oppose the acquisition by BP Austria Pty Ltd of Woolworths Limited’s 531 service station sites and the 12 in development. BP supplies fuel to some 1,400 BP-branded service stations across the nation, setting fuel price at some 350 of them. The ACCC considered that BP’s acquisition of Woolworth’s service station likely would substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of fuel.

The ACCC research found that BP prices were significantly higher on average than Woolworth’s prices in the major capital cities. BP generally increased prices faster than Woolworths during price increase phases, and was slower to discount during the price discounting phase of cycles.

MTA Queensland, in June 2017, made a submission to the ACCC opposing the proposed acquisition. We highlighted the unprecedented market power of the major supermarkets to negotiate terminal gate prices enabling them to dominate both fuel retail markets and the entire fuel automotive value chain. The acquisition of market share by the supermarket giants had created a circumstance unparalleled in Australia’s fuel market history.

10 | Motor Trader February 2018

INDUSTRY INNOVATION MTA Queensland is responsible, as the peak industry body of Queensland, to ensure that members are introduced to new and innovative automotive concepts and products that may impact on their business.

MTA Queensland have been prepping and educating members about incoming disruptors through the 2017 Carmageddon symposiums and more recently with the establishment of Australia’s first automotive innovation hub, MTAiQ. Members’ attention is drawn to the startup company Tyrestock which has taken up residence in our innovation hub. It is the subject of a news story on the MTAiQ website. Tyrestock is an online ‘one-stop shop’ for tyre fitters and consumers. For tyre fitters, the tool enables them to buy tyres from different suppliers and have their orders delivered in two hours. The second element enables consumers to select and order tyres through Tyrestock and book an appointment with their closest tyre fitter to where the order will be delivered. At present the service is limited to the Brisbane area. There is a scheduled launch event for Tyrestock on the 20th March and details have been sent in our weekly bulletin and are available on page 58-59 of this edition of Motor Trader.

FINALLY Check the fuel price boards from 31 January 2018. This is when petrol stations will display the actual retail fuel price on the price board. Any display of conditionally discounted prices on fuels price boards is banned - that is prices that are only available to motorists who have a discount voucher. This is a regulatory measure to protect motorists from confusion at petrol bowsers.

Until March, take care and stay safe.

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CLICK TO VISIT THE MICHAEL WEBER PRESTIGE AND PERFORMANCE WEBSITE

Michael Weber

MTA|Q&A

Michael Weber Prestige and Performance was founded a decade ago by a young and enthusiastic mechanic keen to offer quality service to owners of new VW, Audi and BMW vehicles. Today, still only in his thirties and operating with the philosophy of delivering quality service through hard work and investment in well-trained staff and a facility that uses the latest in diagnostic equipment, Michael Weber has established one of Brisbane’s premier shops for the service, repair and modification of high-tech models from the German brands.

12 | Motor Trader February 2018

What products and service does Michael Weber Prestige and Performance provide?

MW: Primarily, we do service, repair and modifications to late-model VW Audi Group and BMW vehicles. This includes mechanical work, tyres, wheels, air conditioning, wheel alignment, road worthy certification – the whole lot.

In the aftermarket area we do suspensions - bushes, coil overs, sway bars - and the tuning side with software upgrades, APR tuning, and some piggyback computer work. We don’t do cosmetic modifications, that’s not our style. It’s all under the skin - intakes, intercoolers, exhausts. That’s the sort of work we do.

When and how did you come to establish the business?

MW: We’ve been operating for 10 years and I established the business after working for some years in dealerships.

I started in the industry in the late ‘90s at Mazda and finished my light vehicle apprenticeship working at Holden before working for VW and BMW. I always knew I wanted to start my own business, although back then I probably was thinking about hot roads and muscle cars! But I saw a niche in the market when I was working for VW/Audi and BMW, and that was that there really wasn’t anybody, outside of dealerships, working on these newer model cars. There were plenty of people who would work on older VW and Audi models but no one really wanted to tackle the new stuff. Older mechanics seemed to be scared of all the technology in these models and didn’t want to touch them in case something went wrong and they didn’t know how to fix it.

And people were looking for an alternative too. At the time, they had to keep going back to the dealer because February 2018 Motor Trader | 13

they couldn’t find anywhere else to go.

However, I was doing that work at the dealership without a problem and I knew I could get the tools we were using, so there was no reason or need to be at the dealership. I decided I’d go and do that work somewhere else, and get paid properly to do it too!

I went out on my own in April 2007 and worked by myself for almost two years.

I did bring another guy on, but he didn’t work out. The next guy I brought on is still with me today.

We soon got busier so I brought on another mechanic, and then someone to look after the office. We continued to grow and now have six guys working on the floor – four technicians and two apprentices plus the workshop manager and me.

That growth saw us move a couple of times to bigger premises but all in this area. We are now in our third shop, but our first location was just around the corner and our second was just across the road.

We’ve probably moved a grand total of 400m over the years. I like the area!

Who are your customers and how do you reach them?

MW: Our customer base is broad - from guys in their 70s to those who have had their licences for just a few years - and about 80 per cent of our work is VW/Audi with 20 per cent BMW. We work hard and do the right thing by our customers - we use the right, genuine parts, and there are no concerns with warranty.

We are competitive in price with the dealers. Initiatlly, they will always quote a lower price than us, especially on a major service. However, customers can find that there are other costs they didn’t expect, and when that happens they ring us back and ask, ‘Did your quote include that?’, and we say, ‘Absolutely, a major service is what you asked for.’

Our customers come from those looking for an alternative and a lot of our business comes via word of mouth and social media.

That’s basically what we use to advertise now. We don’t do print media or billboards or flyers at all. In fact, today, word of mouth is social media - it’s all one thing.

So we have a professional website and use Facebook heavily.

Michael Weber Prestige and Performance uses the latest technology and diagnostic systems.

The industry is evolving fast and seems to be embracing ideas such as all-electric vehicles and self-driving technology. You specialise in high-tech vehicles, so how do you keep on top of the technological advances?

MW: Going full electric in In a corner of the workshop, Michael and his father Australia is a challenge and are working on building a replica Ford GT probably not feasible - our power grid can’t even keep our air conditioning on in summer We have invested heavily and every bay let alone charge up an extra 1 million in the shop has its own computer with all cars every night, and then there are other the information the boys need uploaded considerations such as the distances we to it. Everyone has their own laptop to travel. Having said that, those cars still have work from too and we have a selection of suspension, tyres, battery packs and so on, the latest diagnostic equipment. so while there might be a shift in work, there We also have our own training room and will still be work. Things will still wear out. most of our main aftermarket suppliers run Of course, we do keep an eye on what their own training programs and have their is happening in the industry. We go to own equipment available for workshops Germany to the big trade shows and to use. It’s system-specific training rather that gives us a good idea of what is on than brand-specific training, and that is its way. For example, the technology on pretty much what we need. display from companies such as Bosch Everyone looks at new cars with some and Siemens is technology that we will trepidation but once you start working on probably see in cars in 5 to 7 years. So we them and understanding them, there isn’t have a fair idea of what’s coming and a problem. what we have to do to keep up.

The main thing is getting the issue of the right to repair sorted out. If it isn’t, then there’ll be no keeping up for anyone.

To what do you attribute your success?

MW: Work hard, target the market, don’t rip people off and be good to your guys.

That’s all there is to it. Pretty simple really.

There’s no secret ingredient.

What does the future hold for Michael Weber Prestige and Performance?

MW: As far as the workshop goes, keeping up with the cutting edge of things. That’s what we have to do, something we continue to do, and that won’t change. It’s about keeping systems in place so that we don’t fall behind, constantly monitoring, and being proactive about getting it right.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 15

GAC Enverge

16 | Motor Trader February 2018

Showtime IN

MOTOR CITY T

HE NORTH AMERICAN International Auto Show (NAIAS), held in Detroit every January at the cavernous Cobo Centre, is one of the automotive industry’s biggest events.

With a history dating back more than 100 years, and with more than 800,000 visitors flocking to the Show over its two-week run, the NAIAS is a major drawcard for manufacturers to show

off their latest concepts, upcoming production models and ideas for the future of the industry.

The 2018 edition of NAIAS was another cracker of a year, with plenty to talk about and consider as the Motor City put on another gigantic festival of all things automotive. Here are a few of the eyecatching reveals and announcements from this year’s Show.

GAC ENVERGE

China's fastest growing auto brand, GAC Motor, arrived at NAIAS with some goodlooking vehicles, including its brand new GA4 sedan and GS8 SUV. However, the pick of its offerings, and one of the highlights of the entire event, was the unveiling of its Enverge concept vehicle.

Apart from a blisteringly-cool appearance – complete with gull-wing doors - the Enverge has some solid figures that will make those interested in electric vehicles sit up and take notice. It reportedly has a 71kWh battery that will give it a 600km range, and a fast charger that, within 10 minutes, will give it 400km of range.

Inside, there is some very nifty technology going on. The dash is a near full-width screen that displays the relevant driving info but it’s in the rear that things get really interesting. Back there, passengers can use AR (augmented reality) goggles to display

information about the outside and overlay it on the vehicle’s opaque windows. Bonkers!

GAC, or Guangzhou Automobile Group, may not be a well-known name at the moment, but that is likely to change, and soon. Already one of China’s largest auto manufacturers with production and sales of 500,000 vehicles in 2017, GAC is looking to the US in its expansion plans and is expecting to be selling cars there by the end of 2019. Watch this space.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 17

Infinity Q Inspiration

INFINITY Q INSPIRATION

Making its debut at NAIAS, The INFINITI Q Inspiration Concept turned plenty of heads and was awarded the ‘Best Concept Vehicle’ and also ‘Best Designed Interior’ by EyesOn Design.

A preview of INFINITI’s future form language and drivetrain design, the company says the Q Inspiration ‘explores the future of the mid-size sedan segment with a combination of an innovative VCTurbo powertrain, next-level autonomous drive technologies, and a unique humancentric interior’.

Powered by INFINITIs VC-Turbo technology, the Q Inspiration boasts a powertrain combining turbocharged petrol power with the torque and efficiency of a hybrid or diesel engine - the VC-Turbo continually transforms, adjusting its compression ratio to optimise power and fuel efficiency, resulting ‘in the smart application 18 | Motor Trader February 2018

of power for greater driver control’.

The cabin has a minimalist and clean design with plenty of delicious-looking craftsmanship on show and even more technical wizardry to hand.

The Q Inspiration is loaded up with the latest ProPILOT suite of semi-autonomous driving systems too, designed to allow the driver to delegate certain driving tasks to the vehicle’s systems, while retaining ultimate control of the vehicle.

NISSAN XMOTION

Another concept, another SUV. This time from Nissan.

A six-passenger, three-row vehicle, the Nissan Xmotion concept signals the future of Nissan design, and it is a strong-looking vehicle, complete with some rather special details. These include the use of a traditional Japanese architectural wood joinery technique, kanawa tsugi, found in the carpentry used to build religious temples and shrines.

The idea of using ancient woodworking techniques in the design of a car may seem odd but combining it with the advanced tech you’d expect in a concept just kind of works. That tech includes seven digital displays with three main displays, and left and right end displays, spanning the width of the instrument panel. There’s also a ‘digital room mirror’ in the ceiling and a centre console display.

The displays and infotainment system can be controlled by gestures and eye movements and intuitive controls and a voice command system that, says Nissan, allows drivers to focus on driving, helping them access various information in an easy and safe manner.

No word on the powertrain or autonomous feature on the Xmotion, but if it is all about the design, then there’s a pretty cool and unusual direction being taken here.

Nissan Xmotion

February 2018 Motor Trader | 19

LEXUS LF-1 LIMITLESS A vehicle Lexus is calling ‘the flagship crossover’, the LF-1 concept is a showcase of technology, innovation and the latest evolution of design at Lexus and one that the company say could be powered by fuel cell, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, petrol, or be all-electric.

Elegant-looking and sharply sculpted on the outside – with plenty of LED lighting to give it that futuristic feel – the LF-1 is even more hi-tech on the inside.

The cockpit uses motion-activated controls and a minimalist display for the driver, while those in back get the same seats as those in front with plenty of legroom and individual display screens for adjusting the climate control or entertainment options.

The LF-1 has Chauffeur mode which allows for hands-free operation, while for hands-on driving, powertrain controls are on the steering wheel. Touch-responsive controls interface with a 4D navigation system and integrated comfort and Lexus LF-1 Limitless

20 | Motor Trader February 2018

entertainment systems, and a touchtracer pad in the centre console supports character recognition for data entry.

Futuristic lighting design is plentiful on the inside of the LF-1. Engaging the start button initiates a dramatic lighting sequence based on which driving mode is engaged, and the wooden door trim has tiny perforations that allow indirect light from miniature LEDs to shine in a variety of colours.

While still a concept, the design of the LF-1, while obviously futuristic, has the air of something that might actually make it to the production line. Let’s hope so.

Acura RDX

2019 ACURA RDX PROTOTYPE

The luxury marque of Honda, Acura unveiled its RDX Prototype in Detroit – a first look at the new design, advanced tech and luxury features of the five-passenger SUV set to launch later this year. The all-new, third generation RDX has been reengineered on a new platform featuring a lighter, stiffened body, a new chassis and an all-new powertrain – a 2.0-litre DOHC VTEC Turbo engine. The 2019 model also will have Acura Super-Handling All Wheel Drive.

The RDX Prototype also debuts a new, Acura True Touchpad Interface which features an Android-based operating system projected onto a dual-zone, 10.2-

inch full-HD display mounted atop the centre console close to the driver’s natural line of sight, and an available interactive head-up display (HUD).

Acura says every spot on the RDX’s touchpad is mapped precisely with the corresponding action on the centre display.

All 2019 RDX models will come equipped with the AcuraWatch suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies while additional available connected-car and driver-assistive features include nextgeneration AcuraLink with 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Hill Start Assist, Surround-View Camera System, front and rear parking sensors, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Blind Spot Information system.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 21

The new Bullitt Mustang (above) and the orignal GT from the movie (below left).

FORD UNVEILS BULLITT MUSTANG It has been 50 years since Steve McQueen charged around the streets of San Francisco in his green Ford Mustang GT Fastback in the iconic movie Bullitt.

In celebration of that fact, Ford revealed an all-new Mustang Bullitt at NAIAS – a 5-litre, V8-powered beast that delivers 475hp and nudges a top speed of 262km/h.

An active valve performance exhaust system is standard with new Black NitroPlate exhaust tips, as well as a new Open Air Induction System and Shelby GT350 intake manifold with 87mm throttle bodies and powertrain control module calibration.

Other standard equipment includes a heated leather steering wheel and a 12-inch all-digital LCD instrument cluster with a unique Bullitt welcome screen. Exterior paint choices are limited to Shadow Black and the classic Dark Highland Green – as 22 | Motor Trader February 2018

worn in the movie. Other features that pay tribute to the car McQueen drove are chrome accents around the grille and front windows, classic torque thrust 19-inch aluminum wheels, red painted Brembo brakes, and a unique black front grille. The leather-trimmed interior features unique green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, centre console and seats.

In something of a twist, the new Bullitt Mustang was joined in Detroit by one of the original Mustangs used in the Bullitt movie.

Two identical 1968 Mustang GT Fastbacks were used in the movie and after filming had finished, the cars went their separate ways. The vehicle used in many of the jumps during the movie’s famous chase scene was sent to a salvage yard and resurfaced in early 2017. The other, used as the movie's 'hero' car, was sold privately and seemingly lost until the current owner contacted Ford and worked with the company to reveal the car alongside the new Mustang.

AUTOMOBILI-D

While cars are the stars at NAIAS, technological advances have become so dramatic, and the need to embrace them and to engage with their creators has become so clear, that NAIAS established a parallel event in 2017 to do just that.

Dubbed AutoMobili-D, the event brings together start-ups, tech firms, automotive firms, and representatives from government and academia to discuss where the industry is headed. It also offers the opportunity for automakers, suppliers and start-ups to showcase new innovations and platforms and be able to forge new business and industry relationships.

First held in 2017, this year’s AutoMobili-D featured 57 start-ups, more than 80 exhibitors and included presentations on autonomous driving solutions, artificial intelligence, industry collaboration, the

effect of blockchain in automotive, and vehicle security. Of particular interest was the presentation from John Chen, CEO of Blackberry, who unveiled the Blackberry Jarvis – a scanning solution that identifies vulnerabilities in software used in automobiles. Blackberry says Jarvis can scan files at every stage of software development and has the capability to evaluate new software under consideration as well as the ability to assess existing software already in production.

"Connected and autonomous vehicles require some of the most complex software ever developed, creating a significant challenge for automakers who must ensure the code complies with industry and manufacturer-specific standards while simultaneously battle-hardening a very large and tempting attack surface for cybercriminals," said Mr Chen.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: COOL REVEALS FROM NAIAS Lamborghini Urus

Rolls-Royce Phantom BMW i8 Roadster

Hyundai Veloster N

February 2018 Motor Trader | 23

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CARS, COFFEE AND A PETROLHEAD’S DREAM

I

F YOU’RE A fan of classic and exotic cars, there’s probably no better way to spend your spare time than a few hours at a car show, a swap meet, a track day, or any sort of event where car enthusiasts can congregate and shoot the breeze about engines, diffs, torque, horsepower and so on.

As it happens, there are plenty of opportunities to engage in such a pastime.

Every week, in towns and cities across the country, events both large and small are held that bring car fans together, and one that is particularly popular is the informalsounding ‘Coffee & Cars’.

Held for just a few hours, and usually starting early on a weekend morning, Coffee & Cars events give owners of classic and exotic vehicles an excuse to not only give their pride and joy a bit of a cruise,

. . . COFFEE & CARS EVENTS GIVE OWNERS OF CLASSIC AND EXOTIC VEHICLES AN EXCUSE TO NOT ONLY GIVE THEIR PRIDE AND JOY A BIT OF A CRUISE, BUT SHARE THEM AND THEIR STORIES WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED SOULS . . . but share them and their stories with other like-minded souls and, of course, the public.

And the public do come . . . sometimes in their thousands.

At the Coffee & Cars event held in Brisbane, at the appropriately named Turbo Drive, in early January, many hundreds (surely thousands over the February 2018 Motor Trader | 25

course of the morning) of photo-snapping onlookers took in a tremendous gathering of vehicles, with E-type Jags, Mark I Ford Escorts, Corvettes, Monaros, XB Falcons, Ferraris and a legion of other classic models sitting side-by-side with jawdropping examples of modern exotics from Lamborghini, Maserati, Audi and more.

It was a petrolhead’s dream and, for this writer at least, a special treat was to see a Jensen Interceptor - a beautiful, Italiandesigned British Grand Tourer that was produced from the mid-‘60s to the mid‘70s and, in this instance, was represented by the formidable 7-litre Chrysler V8powered Mark III. Wonderful!

These events are fantastic fun and, frankly, there can’t be enough of them. So, with that in mind, MTA Queensland will, on 25th March, be hosting its first Cars & Coffee get-together at its spacious Freeway Office Park home at Eight Mile Plains.

26 | Motor Trader February 2018

MTA QUEENSLAND MEMBERS, STUDENTS AND APPRENTICES, THE PUBLIC AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE THEIR RARE, CLASSIC OR EXOTIC VEHICLE FOR A SPIN IS WELCOME. And everybody is invited. MTA Queensland members, students and apprentices, the public and anyone who wants to take their rare, classic or exotic vehicle for a spin is welcome. Zalis café will be open and ready to supply excellent grub and beverages and we’ll be supporting the excellent work of the charity Youngcare through donations accepted on the day.

So, come along for a bright and early 7:30am start and let’s wile away a few hours talking cars, bikes, V8s, turbos, horsepower and all the rest. We’ll see you there!

CARS &

C O F F E E

LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH 7.30-9.30AM Please join us in your rare, classic, vintage, historic, exotic or race vehicles in the carpark of Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains.

Zalis Cafe will be open! Everyone welcome!

Fundraising for Youngcare.

Commencing 25th March 2018.

This is a family-friendly event, please drive responsibly.

Enquiries: 3237 8721 Sponsored by MTAiQ – Australia’s first automotive innovation hub.

Hosted by the Motor Trades Assoc of Qld

20150316

Ts & Cs at www.mtaq.com.au

MTAQ Racing Team

BATHURST BECKONS FOR MTAQ RACING TEAM AS 2018 SEASON NEARS

T

HE NEW SEASON of Queensland’s Hyundai X3 Series kicks off next month and the MTAQ Racing Team, and their battling Hyundai Excel, will once again take to the grid to battle for state honours in the four-meeting competition.

But while the state championship will be fought out at Morgan Park Raceway , the MTAQ team will also have its chance this year to impress at one of the world’s great motorsport venues at Mount Panorama.

The Hyundai Excel class will be a support category for the Bathurst 6-hour endurance race on the weekend of March 30 - April 1 and the excitement is already growing.

28 | Motor Trader February 2018

“To be able to race at Bathurst is a real thrill,” said David Wood, who returns as team driver this year and has raced at Bathurst in the Australian Production Car series 12-hour race. “It will be a great event and a terrific experience for the team to travel to, and be part of racing at the mecca of Australian motorsport.”

Before that can happen, however, there will be weeks of hard work in front of the team as they ready the MTAQ Excel which, following an engine blow-out at the end of 2017, is being nursed back to health by the members of the team's support crew.

“Losing that engine wasn't part of the plan, but with the changes in engine

regulations for 2018, we probably would have had to pull it apart anyway,” said David. “And it gives us a chance to go back through it, correct a few areas and try and get a bit more out of it.

“Time is a short, but it's the same for everyone and given our resources we should be fine. The support crew are very excited to build a new engine and see it perform. Being our first full 'in house' MTAQ engine is something that will be very special if we can win with it.”

Having the support crew, which consists of MTA Institute apprentices, prepare the car, is an important part of the whole MTAQ Racing Team project. Giving apprentices the chance to be involved in motorsport is a fantastic learning opportunity and while this year’s crew will expand to a team of five - including Elliott Lemmon, Gerard Field and William Salmon who made up the crew last year - more than 50 apprentices have been involved with the project since it was launched in 2017.

“We are very proud of our little race car and what it has contributed in the way of learning experiences for both trainers and apprentices alike,” said Marcello Riotto, Operations Manager for MTA Institute.

“At the last meeting in 2017, the engine catapulted the No.1 piston resulting in irreparable damage to the block, crank and cylinder head. Now, Gerard and Elliott will rebuild the original engine that came from the donor vehicle to category specifications. It is a great project, giving our apprentices valuable experience in engine development and rebuilding.”

While the engine blow up was a disappointment at the time, the 2017 season included a raft of top ten finishes and a 9th place finish in the final standings and has to be considered a successful debut year for the team. Consequently, confidence is high for 2018.

“Toward the end of last year, we were finally able to get on terms with the lead

blokes and that gave me some good insight into what we needed to make that next step,” said David. “The front guys are very fast, experienced with Excels and know their cars very well, but we have shown that we can match them. Now we just have to get our noses in front. It will be very close!”

“We’re confident that the car will be more competitive in 2018 as we learnt a hell of a lot in 2017,” added Marcello.” The category is tightly controlled so it’s all about the one per cent gains we can extract to ultimately have that small advantage.

However, the car is the apprentices’ responsibility to develop, maintain and repair – that is one of the reasons we are doing this – so we should keep that in mind. But they are a talented bunch.”

MTAQ RACING TEAM SPONSORS THE SPONSORS NATIONWIDE DELIVERY

MAJOR SPONSOR

MAJOR SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

OFFICIAL TYRE PARTNER

OFFICIAL TOOL PARTNER

SP TOOLS

OFFICIAL LUBRICANT PARTNER

SUSPENSION SUPPLIER

MTAQ Racing Team – Race Calendar 2018 March 17/18: Rd 1 Qld Championship, Morgan Park March 30 – April 1: Exhibition event, Mount Panorama, Basthurst April 14/15: Rd 2 Qld Championship, Morgan Park July 28-29: Federal Tyres Invitational Cup, Queensland Raceway, Ipswich Sept 8/9: Rd 3 Qld Championship, Morgan Park Nov 17/18: Rd 4 Qld Championship, Morgan Park February2018 2018Motor MotorTrader Trader | 29 February

Auto news

SUZUKI UNVEILS THE SWIFT SPORT TURBO

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UZUKI HAS RELEASED its hottest ever hatch - a Sport Turbo that boasts almost twice the torque and 56 percent more power than the ‘standard’ Swift released in mid-2017.

The new Swift Sport Turbo hits the market with plenty of safety and driver assistance features and is packaged with a six-speed manual transmission, or a sixspeed automatic transmission.

It also rests more lightly on the scales than its Sport predecessor shaving off around 90kg and boasting a sub-one tonne weight.

Decked out with open-spoked black lustre 17” alloy wheels with polished feature edging, 195/45 series tyres, twin exhaust tail pipes, trick front grille, side skirts and roof spoiler, the Swift Sport Turbo certainly looks the part.

The race-bred theming is carried through to the interior with red formulafaced instrumentation, alloy pedals, firm bucket seats and styling accents.

Under the bonnet is a 1.4 litre in-line 4-cylinder, 16 valve DOHC engine with Variable Valve Timing on the inlet side.

The engine is equipped with piston cooling jets, an oil cooler, intercooler and a turbo30 | Motor Trader February 2018

charger mounted on the cylinder head directly at the end of the built-in exhaust manifold. The engine delivers 103Kw and 230Nm. The front suspension has been designed specifically for the Swift Sport Turbo and features Monroe-branded Tenneco struts and different bump stoppers to other Swift models as well as a recalibrated stabiliser bar.

The suspension also has Teflon seats on the stabiliser mounts. The wheel hub and wheel bearings are a new design and engineered specifically for the Swift Sport Turbo.

The rear shock absorbers also are Tenneco-made Monroe units.

There are new trailing arms, again,

designed specifically for the Swift Sport Turbo and a torsion bar that provides greater stiffness.

The different suspension package on the Swift Sport Turbo has managed to achieve a significant reduction in body roll, greater torsional rigidity and more precise handling.

According to Suzuki Queensland’s General Manager - Sales and Marketing, Mr Stephen Craig, the new Swift Sport Turbo represents a harmonious integration of power, weight and gearing.

“There’s no point in just looking at one of those elements without having regard to the other two,” said Mr Craig.

“In terms of vehicle dynamics, it also harmoniously integrates grip, responsiveness and predictability.

“So rather than creating a restricteduse, $50,000-plus turbo hatch designed primarily for track days, Suzuki has remained true to its sporting DNA by integrating a perfect match of power, weight and gearing.

“The new Swift Sport Turbo clearly is a hot hatch, but one designed for everyday use by combining performance, practicality, driveability and affordability.”

The Swift Sport Turbo boasts an impressive, 5-star safety rating thanks to a range of top-notch safety and driver assistance features including Adaptive Cruise Control and a Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS).

DSBS is a collision mitigation braking system using a monocular camera as well as laser sensors and receivers. The system

SWIFT 2018 - PRICES QUEENSLAND GL GL Navi GL+ GLX Sport Turbo

1.2 litre 5 speed manual 1.2 litre CVT 1.2 litre CVT 1.2 litre CVT 1 litre turbo 6 speed auto 1.4 litre turbo 6 speed manual 1.4 litre turbo 6 speed auto

$15,990 RRP $16,990 RRP $17,990 RRP $18,990 RRP $21,990 RRP $24,990 RRP $26,990 RRP

is designed to detect obstacles such as pedestrians and cars directly ahead.

If the system determines there is a risk of collision, it issues an alarm and displays lights in the meter cluster to warn the driver.

If the system determines that the risk of a collision has increased even more, the Swift automatically engages forceful braking to minimise injury to people and damage to property.

The DSBS also provides Lane Departure Warning and Weaving Alert (LDW).

The Swift Sport Turbo also has a speed limiter which, for example, can be set at 40km/h when required for passing through roadworks or school zones during hours of restricted speed. Just like systems used on racing cars to limit their speed when entering and driving through the pits, it’s a button activated feature.

There is also ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution; Electronic Stability Program; Hill-hold function on the sixspeed automatic; daytime running lights and LEDs integrated into the headlamps, and front rear and curtain airbags.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 31

Auto news

DATA REVEALS SUBURBS MORE LIKELY TO ADOPT SELF-DRIVING CARS

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EW RESEARCH HAS identified the key suburbs across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth that are likely to have the highest take up of autonomous vehicles.

The research - from data, analytics and consulting service Defin’d - focused on individuals with key characteristics that would suggest they are more likely to be purchasers of autonomous vehicles.

These characteristics included having high household incomes, being an ‘early adopter’ of technology and being an ‘enthusiast’ of cars and vehicle technology.

“Taking these consumer characteristics

32 | Motor Trader February 2018

into account, our data pinpointed exactly where these people lived and the suburbs in major Australian cities which will be the first to have autonomous vehicles cruising around,” said Ashish Ahluwalia, Defin’d Principal.

“While we believe that it’ll take some time for autonomous vehicles to become a major force (in numbers) on the roads, it’s certainly worth starting to think about where these vehicles will be most utilised. This can help governments and manufacturers start to plan the longerterm infrastructure needs and road modifications that may be necessitated

and develop roll-out plans with appropriate resource prioritisation.”

Brisbane suburbs: Kenmore, Chapel Hill, Indoropilly, Bardon, Ashgrove, Brisbane City, Spring Hill, Paddington, Fortitude Valley, Teneriffe, Bulimba, Ascot, Clayfield, Coorparoo, Camp Hill, Carindale, Sunnybank Hills, Calamvale.

Melbourne suburbs: Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Southbank, Melbourne, South Yarra, Toorak, Malvern, Malvern East, Hawthorn, Kew, Glen Iris, Camberwell, Canterbury, Balwyn, Balwyn North, Doncaster, Templestowe, Doncaster, Glen Waverly, Brighton.

“WHILE WE BELIVE THAT

IT'LL TAKE SOME TIME FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES TO BECOME A MAJOR FORCE (IN NUMBERS) ON THE ROADS, IT'S CERTAINLY WORTH STARTING TO THINK ABOUT WHERE THESE VEHICLES WILL BE MOST UTILISED .”

Sydney suburbs: Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, West Pennant Hills, Wahroonga, St Ives, Pymble, Killara, Lindfield, Roseville, Chatswood, Artarmon, Hunters Hill, Mosman, Vaucluse, Pyrmont, Sydney, Alexandria, Bellevue Hill, Woollahra.

Perth suburbs: Duncraig, Stirling, Osborne Park, Mount Hawthorn, Wembley, Floreat, City Beach, Subiaco, West Perth, Perth, South Perth, Nedlands, Claremont, Dalkeith, Cottesloe, South Perth, Dalkeith, Mosman Park, Applecross, Mount Pleasant, Bentley.

INDIAN RIDE-SHARING PLATFORM OLA TO LAUNCH IN AUSTRALIA

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T LOOKS LIKE there will be a big new player set to challenge Uber in Australia’s ride-sharing market.

India-based Ola - which claims 125 million users in India across more than 110 cities with more than 1 million driver-partners - announced at the end of January that it was to launch its service in CLICK TO Australia in early 2018. On VISIT THE OLA its website, Ola is inviting WEBSITE vehicle owners in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to register with the company.

Founded in 2011, Ola is reckoned to have nearly half of the enormous Indian ridesharing market and its expansion into Australia is the first overseas move for the company.

It may bring its innovative Ola Play system with it - a system that can access infotainment services for the length of a customer's ride.

“We are very excited about launching Ola in Australia and see immense potential for the ridesharing ecosystem which embraces new technology and innovation,” said Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola’s Co-Founder & CEO. “With a strong focus on driver-partners and the community at large, we aim to create a high-quality and affordable travel experience for citizens and look forward to contributing to a healthy mobility ecosystem in Australia.”

February 2018 Motor Trader | 33

Auto news

TOYOTA REVEALS HYBRID SPORTS CAR CONCEPT

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OYOTA HAS UNVEILED its GR Super Sport Concept car at the Tokyo Auto Salon custom car show.

Developed by Toyota GAZOO Racing, the GR Super Sport Concept incorporates hybrid technology developed for Toyota's TS050 Hybrid race car that competes in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and is powered by a 735kW (985hp) 2.4-litre twin-turbo V6 engine and a Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R) powertrain - systems which have been honed through competition racing.

The concept is composed of mostly the same main parts as the TS050 Hybrid, and Toyota says its participation in the WEC is a highly beneficial project in terms of developing cutting-edge hybrid systems and EV systems. Developments gained through such technological competitions are already being fed back into production vehicles, the company says.

GAZOO Racing Company president Shigeki Tomoyama said the concept is the starting point for Toyota's plan to develop sports cars from active race cars.

BRITISH BILLIONAIRE LOOKS TO ADELAIDE TO CHARGE UP AUSTRALIAN ELECTRIC VEHICLE PRODUCTION

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HILE HOLDEN'S OLD Elizabeth manufacturing plant in Adelaide may have closed, it looks like it may yet have a hand in the future of Australian vehicle production.

It has been reported that British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta, boss of the GFG Alliance group of businesses that includes the Whyalla steel works north of Adelaide, approached Holden in mid-January with an eye to buying some of the factory's

34 | Motor Trader February 2018

assets and establishing an electric vehicle production facility.

Though better known for its interests in energy and metals, the GFG Alliance has experience within the auto industry.

One of its businesses, Liberty Engineering, has, according to its website, a number of divisions that manufacture products such as chassis, aluminium die castings and carbon composite components - for carmakers across the world.

Auto news

NATIONAL BODY FOUNDED FOR HYDROGEN SECTOR

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ITH A MEMBERSHIP comprising vehicle manufacturers, energy companies and infrastructure providers, Hydrogen Mobility Australia (HMA) has been established to be a national body representing the emerging hydrogen sector.

In a statement, HMA said its vision ‘is a hydrogen society for Australia The Toyota Mirai built upon clean and renewable energy industry and government representatives technology, including hydrogen powered with the support the industry and ‘uncover transport’ and it will work to ‘accelerate opportunities and drive the future of the the commercialisation of new hydrogen hydrogen sector in Australia’. and fuel cell technologies across Heavyweight autocompanies are the entire hydrogen value chain, on board with both Toyota and including production, export CLICK TO Hyundai founding members of and storage for transport and VISIT THE the organisation. Both companies stationary applications in HMA WEBSITE manufacture zero-emission fuel Australia and overseas’. cell vehicles - the Toyota Mirai and HMA has also established the Hyundai ix35 FCEV . a ‘collaborative forum’ made of

MTAQ TO SPONSOR TRADESWOMEN CONFERENCE

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cent of women working in frontline roles HE MOTOR TRADES Association in industry, a significant increase from of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is the current 3 per cent. MTA Queensland to sponsor the Tradeswomen Australia are strong supporters of the initiatives Conference to be held on the 8th to and vision that NAWIC represent and 9th of March 2018. The Tradeswomen Australia Conference is run by the National encourage women in the automotive industry to become involved.

Association of Women in Construction Along with trademark events such as (NAWIC) a non-for-profit organisation The Tradeswomen Australia Conference, whose mission is to champion and NAWIC provides regular events that empower women in the construction give members an opportunity to and related industries to reach their expand personal and business full potential.

CLICK TO VISIT THE networks, maintain awareness NAWIC provides members with NAWIC WEBSITE of industry developments and a forum to meet and exchange FOR MORE INFO improve skills and knowledge. ideas and have a target of 11 per February 2018 Motor Trader | 35

CLICK TO VISIT THE BOB JANE T-MARTS TOOMBUL WEBSITE

HEAVY D 36 | Motor Trader February 2018

MAKE: HOLDEN MODEL: 1965 HD UTILITY ENGINE: 179CI INLINE-SIX WITH 3-SPEED CRASH BOX OWNER: STEVE JEFFS OWNED SINCE: 2015

D-UTE-Y

February 2018 Motor Trader | 37

T

HE HUMBLE AUSTRALIAN ute. For decades the workhorse vehicle for many a business and a dead-set Aussie automotive icon.

While pick-up trucks such as the Hilux and Ranger may have usurped the ute's position as the tradies' choice, there are still plenty of utes about and, occasionally, you can come across a real classic from the model’s heyday – a time when they were built to be tough, reliable and the working man’s best friend.

Take this 1965 Holden HD, for example, which is still going strong and is the daily working vehicle for Steve Jeffs and his business, Bob Jane T-Mart Toombul.

“I use it for many things,” says Steve. “It is my daily driver come rain, hail or shine; it’s a great promotional vehicle for our T-mart; our customers love it; and we use it for general duties like picking up tyres, dropping off customers and so on. It is not a show pony and does what it was built to do.”

Not bad for a 53-year-old vehicle. Perhaps even more so when you consider that the HD was not, so the story goes, seen a big winner for Holden when it first appeared.

38 | Motor Trader February 2018

The public, it seems, were not completely enamoured with the design of the HD and, in particular, the front mud guards that sported ‘fins’ jutting out beyond the rest of the body. It was a styling quirk that looks interesting and cool today but was met with a frown in 1965.

And that disapproval was manifested in production figures, with about 180,000 HD models making it to the road. In contrast, production numbers of the HD’s predecessor, the EH, and its successor, the HR, ran to more than 250,000 units.

While its styling raised questions, mechanically the HD was a solid build

John McKeon

and an improvement on the EH model it replaced. Disc brakes were available for the first time on a Holden and the engine choices received a tweak - while the inline six-cylinder remained available as 149ci (2.4-litre) and 179ci (2.9-litre) options, Holden introduced an ‘X2’ version which added an extra 25hp.

Steve’s HD, nicknamed 'the Heavy Duty', has a 179ci engine and though it isn't a 'real' X2, Steve has added twin carbies and headers to make it look and perform like one.

While Steve has had this ute for only a few years, he also owned one in his youth, and

it was fond memories of that car that made him determined to own one again.

“I had an HD in the 1970s when I was a young mechanic and I always wanted to get another one,” he says. “Then, about four years ago, my son Michael, who is manager of the Bob Jane T-Mart Toombul shop, was looking on his phone at cars for sale and he said, ‘Dad, take a look at this, it’s an HD ute!’.

“That was at 9am, and I rang the guy selling the ute at 9:01. I was on his doorstep at 9:45, had bought the car by 9:50 and picked it up the next day on the trailer and brought it home.”

February 2018 Motor Trader | 39

Though the HD was not driveable at the time, Steve says it wasn’t in terrible condition and needed just a bit of care and attention to get it back on the road.

“It wasn’t too bad,” he says. “It had been sitting there for a few years and had issues with brakes, tyres, wheels and oil leaks, as well as an issue with overheating, but my son and I discovered that someone had put the wrong thermostat in and once we fixed that it went like a Swiss watch and has ever since.

“We made some modifications to the engine, lowered the car and as we are in the tyre and wheel business, put some custom steel wheels on it. We also have a modern radio hidden in the glove box.

“We were able to repair all that stuff at home and it was a great father and son project. We got it road worthy and it flew through the inspection. We are very proud of it.”

Ownership has not been without its dramas, however. At the end of last year, a nasty collision with a Camry put the HD off the road for weeks.

“The best way to describe the accident was that it was like driving a block of wood into a besser block wall - there was no give,” says Steve. “And one thing that did show me was how far vehicle safety has come since the '60s! I would hate to crash that car at 100km/h. Crashing at 60km/h was enough – there was no crumple, just ‘bang’!

“At the end of the day, we had damage to the right front guard, bonnet, grill, left front guard and the bumper.”

Getting the repairs completed on a 50-year-old car would, you might think, be something of a headache, with parts especially difficult to come by.

Fortunately, the interest and passion shown for older vehicles by thousands of enthusiasts around the country meant that finding and securing the parts needed to repair the HD was not as tricky as it first seemed.

“With the internet and social media, it was a lot easier,” says Steve. “There are a

number of groups that you can contact – including one Holden Facebook group that has about 2000 members. When you post, it reaches thousands of people and we ended up with parts coming from deep in NSW through to Nambour.”

Now fixed and back on the road, the HD is once again Steve’s daily driver as well as the business’s workhorse vehicle and mobile promotional banner. And in every respect, it’s a head-turner and conversation starter.

“I can’t go anywhere in it without someone saying, ‘My dad had one of those’,” says Steve. “People wave as I’m

driving and come up to me to ask a question when I’m at the shops. And the encouraging thing is that I have had a couple of young blokes - blokes in their 20’s - who have told me that they are working with their dads and building HD sedans. It’s good to know there are still some young people who are interested in these older cars.”

Barring any more major prangs, the HD will be around for a good while yet, providing reliable, and pretty darn comfortable, service to Steve and his team at Bob Jane T-Mart Toombul.

“Although it is low, it is very smooth, quiet and a pleasure to drive,” says Steve.

“Really, there is only one thing I would like to do to it, and that is to put in air conditioning so that when it rains, the windscreen doesn’t fog up so much! But that is all. It is is very handy, it’s different, has a good payload in the back and I think it looks great.”

!

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.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 41

Auto news

FIAT CHRYSLER TO DELIVER THOUSANDS OF MINIVANS TO WAYMO CLICK TO VISIT THE WAYMO WEBSITE

F

IAT CHRYSLER IN the U.S. (FCA) has announced it has an agreement to supply thousands of its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo to support the launch of a driverless ridehailing service.

FCA previously delivered 100 Pacifica Hybrid minivans, adapted for self-driving, to Waymo during the second half of 2016 and an additional 500 in 2017.

Waymo, which began its life as the Google self-driving car project in 2009, says it is set to open its autonomous ridehailing service to the public beginning in Phoenix, Arizona, this year. The additional Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be used to support Waymo as it expands its service to more cities across the United States.

Waymo has officially tested its technology in 25 cities across the U.S., including 42 | Motor Trader February 2018

Atlanta, San Francisco, Metro Detroit, Phoenix and Kirkland, Washington.

“In order to move quickly and efficiently in autonomy, it is essential to partner with like-minded technology leaders,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. “Our partnership with Waymo continues WATCH THE VIDEO

BFGOODRICH LAUNCHES OFF-ROAD ESCAPE APP

to grow and strengthen; this represents the latest sign of our commitment to this technology.”

“With the world’s first fleet of fully self-driving vehicles on the road, we’ve moved from research and development, to operations and deployment,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo. “The Pacifica Hybrid minivans offer a versatile interior and a comfortable ride experience, and these additional vehicles will help us scale.”

“WITH THE WORLD'S FIRST

FLEET OF FULLY SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, WE'VE MOVED FROM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO OPERATIONS AND DEPLOYMENT .”

Last November, Waymo began testdriving a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans on public roads without a driver at the wheel, becoming the first vehicle to attain Level 4 autonomy, a classification determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans use Waymo’s hardware suite and self-driving software, and the company says those systems have been tested on more than 4 million miles (6.5 million km) of on-road testing, and billions of miles in simulation.

B

FGOODRICH TIRES AUSTRALIA has launched a new Off Road Escape app, offering users the ability to locate and receive information on 4x4 tracks and trails throughout Australia.

Developed in collaboration with Melbourne-based technology consultancy Transpire, the free app offers both live tracking and offline maps to download at no charge. Users share trail information, 4x4 tips, points of interest on tracks, vehicle details and modifications etc, with friends and likeminded enthusiasts.

“Whether you’re joining a weekend expedition with the local 4x4 club or overlanding through the Simpson, the Off Road Escape app simply allows more people to access and explore the hard to reach parts of our Country, in the same way our tyres do," said Tim Hoare, BFGoodrich Australia’s Marketing Manager.

The Off Road Escape app is freely available through the Apple itune CLICK store or go onto www.

FOR MORE INFORMATION bfgoodrich.com.au/ offroad-escape for further information.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 43

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO MORE THAN 3000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MOTORING INDUSTRY (website or e-magazine options)

CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA GUIDE AND COSTS

Auto news

BMW M5 SETS DRIFTING WORLD RECORD MARK

B

MW HAS SET Guinness World Records for the longest drift in eight hours and the longest twin-vehicle drift using the new M5.

At the beginning of December last year, at the BMW Performance Centre in Greer, South Carolina, BMW instructor Johan Schwartz completed a sustained drift of 232.5 miles (374km), shattering the previous record by 143 miles (230km).

Along with BMW Performance Centre WATCH THE VIDEO

Chief Driving Instructor Matt Mullins, Schwartz also performed a twin vehicle drift over a distance of 49.25 miles (79.3 km) in one hour.

A custom-built refuelling system, developed by BMW in collaboration with the North Carolina-based company Detroit Speed, made it possible to drift continuously without a break for the full eight hours as required by Guinness World Records. This enabled the BMW M5 to be refuelled during the drift in the same way that fighter jets can refuel in midflight, though in this case the operation was performed by hand. Mullins drove a second M5 and adapted to Schwartz's drifting speed, allowing Matt Butts of Detroit Speed to carry out the refuelling operation, secured by a safety tether that permitted him to straddle the space between the two moving vehicles by leaning out of the rear window of the second car.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 45

Auto news

LAND ROVER LAUNCHES 70TH ANNIVERSARY V8 EDITION DEFENDER

L

AND ROVER HAS announced a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic bush-bashing Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to mark the company’s 70th anniversary in 2018.

The company say the Defender Works V8 pays homage to the high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 vehicles from 1979 and subsequent Defenders, including the 50th Anniversary Edition.

Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturallyaspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 297kW and 515 Nm of torque, and will accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6sec with a top speed of 170km/h.

46 | Motor Trader February 2018

The V8 powertrain will be fitted to 150 specially-selected and re-engineered Defenders for the 70th Edition, complemented by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with sport mode, uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, WATCH THE VIDEO

BUGATTI DEVELOPS WORLD'S FIRST TITANIUM 3D-PRINTED BRAKE CALIPER

“WE KNEW THE DEMAND WAS THERE FOR A POWERFUL AND FAST DEFENDER . . .”

dampers and anti-roll bars), plus 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.

Eight standard body colours include two satin finishes – contrasting with a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille – finished with machined aluminium door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering. A comprehensive lighting upgrade includes bi-LED headlamps.

Full Windsor Leather interior trim covers the dashboard, door panels, headlining and Recaro sports seats.

“It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time,” said Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director.

“The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”

B

UGATTI, MAKERS OF the Veyron and Chiron super sports cars, says it has developed a brake caliper that can be produced by 3-D printing.

The new brake caliper is made from titanium and Bugatti says this is the world’s largest functional component produced from that material using a 3D printing processes.

The new titanium brake caliper, which is 41 cm long, 21 cm wide and 13.6 cm high, weighs only 2.9 kg. In comparison, the aluminium component currently used weighs 4.9 kg, Bugatti says it takes a total of 45 hours to print a brake caliper. During the process, titanium powder is deposited layer by layer, and with each layer, four lasers melt the titanium powder into the defined shape. The total number of layers required is 2,213.

Following the completion of the final layer, remaining titanium powder that has not melted is removed from the chamber leaving the brake caliper.

Heat treatment and a further process to smooth the surface improves fatigue strength, is followed by some final machining touches.

The first trials for use in production vehicles are due to be held in the first half of the year.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 47

RTO No. 31529

Can you afford not to be in the circle?

Advocacy

Specalising in matters such as print solutions, finance, electricity, gas rates and solar; Core SME Services is a vendor neutral business with one simple objective; reduce costs, increase profits and streamline workflows for your business.

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The MTA Institute delivers world-class automotive training at your workshop, at the Institute’s state-of-the-art facility, or a combination of both. It’s the right training, in the right place, in the right way.

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

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

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Services

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

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

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Save with our Corporate Partners

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

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MTAA Superannuation is the industry’s superfund. Our superannuation partner has over 200,000 members who enjoy excellent service and returns.

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Innovation

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

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

Available to MTAQ members at a 20 per cent discount.

OurAuto Digital specialises in online marketing solutions that are tailored to your business, including website design, online marketing, and website hosting.

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Safety Help provides the automotive industry with a service dedicated to making your business complaint properly and professionally.

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

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GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE

WELCOME TO 2018!

I

T DOESN’T TAKE long to get back into the swing of things does it?

I know we have a lot of work ahead of us this year and we look forward to providing top-class training and professional development to all our clients to make them more productive in the workplace.

Our government-subsidised Trade Recognition program is ready to go and offers a great opportunity for people who have industry experience, but without a formal qualification, to be nationally recognised. This program looks at your experience through recognition of prior learning and gathers evidence of your skills to provide you with an automotive qualification. It’s a great outcome for people who never thought they’d be able to achieve such a distinction.

Speaking of qualifications, MTA Institute’s first ever Graduation Ceremony is on Friday, 23rd February 2018. The event will recognise all the hard work and effort apprentices have put in over the last four years. It will be held at the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence at Eight Mile Plains and it will be a pleasure to wish these graduates all the success as the automotive industry’s future leaders.

From the end of the apprenticeship back to the start – we are almost finished with our first automotive pre-vocational program for 2018 and some of these students have already landed apprenticeships. Talking to these students, they are willing to learn, have a great attitude and want a chance to show an employer they have got what it takes.

If you are looking for someone to work in your business, look no further than these students! If you want more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

MEMBERS' ESSENTIALS Contents 50 Professional Circle training 57 Apprentice of the Month 60 Member matters 63 Member profiles

FAST FIT EXHAUST TONICS AUTOMOTIVE 68 Industrial relations February 2018 Motor Trader | 49

E S S E N T I A L S

PAUL KULPA

M E M B E R S

Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

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

Professional Circle training

MTAQ SELECTED TO DELIVER APPRENTICE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

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ORE THAN 40,000 apprentices across Australia are to benefit from intensive support in their first two years of training thanks to the new Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) program, launched in January by Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews.

Aimed at significantly increasing retention and completion rates for apprentices in industries undergoing structural change, the ISMAA program is to be delivered by 24 organisations from across the country.

No industry is undergoing more significant change than the automotive industry, and MTA Queensland’s long history in providing training, mentoring services and support to automotive apprentices and businesses has seen it selected as one of those 24 organisations.

As an ISMAA provider, MTA Queensland

has been entrusted with delivering the program across Queensland, and the Association has put in place a strong support structure. The program will be led by a four-person mentor team, each of whom has many years of experience in the industry.

The team will provide support, assistance and guidance including: • providing support in the development of technical skills; • supporting off-the-job learning needs; • providing career and pathway advice related to the automotive industry; • providing motivation and confidence building to help achieve potential and build resilience; • being a positive role model to help encourage independence, self-reliance and assistance with resolving issues that could pose a threat to the completion of the training;

MTA Queensland has a long history in delivering training mentoring services and support to automotive apprentices and business 50 | Motor Trader February 2018

WATCH THE VIDEO: TRAINING WITH MTA INSTITUTE

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February 2018 Motor Trader | 51

E S S E N T I A L S

more than 35,000 positions in 2017/18.

These skill shortages affect business WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED productivity, planning, investment and growth. It’s a problem that must be tackled TO BE DELIVERING THIS as massive changes – through, amongst EXTREMELY IMPORTANT other things, the uptake of electric, MENTORING PROGRAM TO connected and autonomous vehicles – disrupt the traditional way of working, AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICES doing business, and even the work itself.

AS IT IS INTEGRAL TO THE MTA Queensland, through the ISMAA FUTURE WORKFORCE OF THE program and other projects and strategies, AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. will continue to play a leading role in creating a skilled work force for the automotive industry as it continues to evolve.

“We are really excited to be delivering this extremely important mentoring program to automotive apprentices and it is integral to the future workforce of the automotive industry,” said Dr Brett Dale, Group CEO for MTA Queensland. “We are also committed to ensuring employers are fully connected to the program to provide positive outcomes for the student, employer and industry.”

To find out more, got to www.mtaq.com. au/MTAQ/Mentor-Program Mentoring is available for free to CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE any Australian automotive apprentice ABOUT ISMAA or trainee in the first two years of their training.

M E M B E R S

• providing support and advice to apprentices during periods of personal difficulty; and • supporting mental health and providing a process to assist in dealing with issues and seeking help.

Assisting students to successfully complete their apprenticeships is vital to the health of the automotive industry.

Currently, skill shortages within the automotive industry are at record numbers, with a national shortage of 27,377 skilled positions forecast to rise to

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

Professional Circle training

MTAI TRAINERS GATHER FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

MTA Institute General Manager Paul Kulpa discussed the challenges and successes of the past year and the developments for 2018.

I

N DECEMBER, MTA Queensland brought trainers from across Queensland to take part in the MTA Institute trainers’ conference. Held at the end of each year, the conference is an opportunity for the trainers, who work in every area of the state, to come together and collaborate and discuss various industry matters.

Allowing the MTA Institute team to consider the progress of the past year and focus on the year to come, the conference offered workshops on developing technology, as well as presentations and updates on a variety of issues, which this year included the move to the AUR16 training package; adoption of the Institute’s online training platform, My Profiling; professional development sessions and other business matters.

52 | Motor Trader February 2018

“IT WAS A CHALLENGING

YEAR FOR OUR TRAINERS AND THEY TOOK UP THOSE CHALLENGES AND MET THEM WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM.” “The trainers’ conference is a chance to discuss what has happened over the year and what direction we are heading,” said Paul Kulpa, General Manager MTA Institute.

“While we have regular contact with the trainers via phone and email, nothing beats a face-to-face conversation to talk about how our training is going and the issues there might be in industry, and then discussing those as a group to find good outcomes.

“And we did face some great challenges

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

A race car from the TA2 racing series was brought to the MTA Queensland workshop for the trainers to examine.

MTA Institute trainers were introduced to new products at the conference including Carisma - a system that allows workshops to produce visual reports to keep customers up-to-date with the work being carried out on their vehicles. The presentation was delivered by Tyson Young (right), founder of Carisma.

in 2017, including implementing the AUR16 training package, the deployment of new IT hardware and software, and the migration of training to My Profiling. It was a challenging year for our trainers and they took up those challenges and met them with great enthusiasm.”

The web-based My Profiling platform has been a particularly important innovation for the Institute and its clients, giving students, employers and trainers a level of engagement and interaction not seen before. It enables employers and supervisors to monitor the progress of their apprentices and authenticate workbased elements of their training at any time while, for students, it offers a simple and easy-to-use learning experience with information and educational material, as

well as the ability to interact immediately with their trainers, available online and at the click of a button.

In just the few months since the rollout of the system, the response to My Profiling has been overwhelmingly positive, a reaction confirmed at the conference.

“The feedback has been great,” said Mr Kulpa. “As with any large and complex project there were some teething issues, but with more and more exposure to the platform, our trainers, students and employer’s confidence increased and all are now seeing the benefits of the system.”

The successful implementation of the My Profiling platform was just one part of a very active and demanding year for the Institute and its trainers. But that hard work, added Mr Kulpa, would see the February 2018 Motor Trader | 53

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

Professional Circle training Institute confirm its status as a leader in the automotive training landscape.

“2017 was very challenging and it tested many parts of the business,” he said.

“However the work done by the team to get us over the line with a number of projects has set us up for 2018 and I feel this year will be a great year for us at the Institute and MTA Queensland. Most importantly, that hard work will be reflected in the outstanding service and opportunities we will be able to offer our members, students and clients.”

TRAINER OF THE YEAR . . . AND OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS All in all, 2017 was pretty momentous for MTA Queensland. The Association, recognising the incredible technological developments that are beginning to sweep through the automotive industry, took a leadership role in embracing and championing those changes. Through initiatives such as the Carmageddon symposiums and the establishment of the

Trainers Richard Matthews (above and David Twidale (right) were both recognised for their sterling efforts in 2017.

54 | Motor Trader February 2018

MTAiQ Innovation Hub, together with the work and initiatives advanced by the MTA Institute, the Assocation is assisting the industry in embracing and adapting to the developments to come, not only by guiding the blossoming talent of students but also by nurturing nascent businesses that will become industry leaders.

And at the 2017 trainers’ conference, some of those people who have been crucial to advancing the Association’s position were acknowledged for their efforts during the year.

These included Peter Jaensch, who was presented with the MTA Institute Trainer

“WORKING WITH APPRENTICES AND WATCHING THEM GROW IN CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY, BECOMING FRIENDS WITH THEM AND, IN A SMALL WAY, SHARING IN THEIR SUCCESS, IS VERY SATISFYING.”

Peter Jaensch was named as MTA Institute’s Trainer of the Year for 2017 and received the award from MTA Institute General Manager Paul Kulpa.

M E M B E R S

of the Year award.

Peter began his career as an apprentice at a Holden dealership in Adelaide in 1968 and has been with the MTA Institute since 2012, delivering training to students in the Central West and Central Highlands.

A highly-experienced professional, Peter said it was a great honour and a wonderful surprise to be named Trainer of the Year, adding that being a trainer was an immensely gratifying role and that the MTA Institute’s one-on-one training delivery had proven to be a very successful method for his students.

“I was very surprised to be named Trainer of the Year. It was totally unexpected, and I feel humbled to have been chosen,” he said.

“Working with apprentices and watching them grow in confidence and ability, becoming friends with them and, in a small way, sharing in their success, is very satisfying. And the Institute’s one-on-one training delivery plays a role in that.

Working one-on-one with our students means we, as trainers, not only very quickly pick up if they have not understood a subject, but also means we can prevent them from ‘falling through the cracks’ – something that can happen in a classroom situation. It is a very positive way to train.”

While working alone, and working long hours, to deliver training to students

MTA Queensland CEO Dr Brett Dale with Marketing and Communications Manager Lysa Dugandzic who was recognised for her department’s significant progress in advancing the Association’s message to the public and industry.

across central Queensland might be considered a tough gig by many, Peter said that, for him, it was a very enjoyable role.

“My training area covers a very diverse area of rural farming communities in the Central West to the mining towns of the Central Highlands. This makes for an interesting mix of small businesses with very different day-to-day operations and challenges. I enjoy working in this environment where something different is happening every time I visit, and that makes the hours of travel worthwhile.”

“The Trainer of the Year award is a great honour,” said Mr Kulpa. “When considering who we choose, we look at a number of factors, including the trainer's professionalism and commitment, their links with industry and the community, and the feedback from students and employers.

“Peter was an outstanding candidate.

Employers rate him very highly, he has an ability to work outside his area of expertise and move into different roles when needed, he adapted well to the adoption of the My Profiling platform and he always maintains high ethical standards. Most importantly, he secures excellent learning outcomes for his students. He is a very worthy winner of the award.”

February 2018 Motor Trader | 55

E S S E N T I A L S

E-learning Service Officer Leigh Joy played a pivotal role in the successful roll out and support of the My Profiling online training platform.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TRAINING WITH THE MTA INSTITUTE? • Trainers with extensive automotive industry experience • On-site one-on-one workplace training • Flexible employer arrangements • State-of-the-art training facility • Online learning capability • Free wi-fi at our training facility • Strong connections to government agencies and industry stakeholders • Unique student opportunities - Pathway to motorsports - Apprentice of the Month and Year Awards - Overseas scholarship opportunities - Links to employers that are members of MTA Queensland - Access to jobs board - Graduation ceremonies THE MTA INSTITUTE offers a full suite of nationally accredited automotive apprenticeships and traineeships in the fields of Light Vehicle, Heavy Vehicle, Motorcycle, Mobile Plant, Automotive Body Repair, Refinishing and more.

ENQUIRE: TRAINING@MTAI.EDU.AU 07 3237 8777 | WWW.MTAI.EDU.AU

RTO No: 31529

20170617

In addition, accredited short courses for licensing requirements are available for Motor Vehicle Sales, Dealers, Wreckers and Automotive Air-Conditioning. We also offer non-accredited short courses in MIG Welding, Paintless Dent Repair, Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Common Rail Diesel Injection.

J

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.

FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE AND CHECK OUT THE APPRENTICE AWARDS PAGE AT WWW.MTAI.EDU.AU February 2018 Motor Trader | 57

E S S E N T I A L S

mechanics,” he said. “However, I didn’t feel that area was for me. I never had it in mind to be a panel beater but I seem to be good at it and really enjoy it!”

Joel works with a team of seven at the Extreme Dents Geebung shop, one of several that the company operates across Queensland and Victoria, and has reached a level of skill that sees him work on 'pretty much everything' that comes in for repair OEL TRAVERS IS the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for December. and has even been sent to Melbourne to work in Extreme Dents shops there.

The 21-year-old automotive panel Though an outstanding Apprentice of the beating apprentice is in his third year and Month recipient – an accolade that puts has been working at Extreme Dents in him in the running for the 2018 Apprentice Geebung since 2015.

An enthusiastic apprentice, Joel’s success of the Year award - the award did come as a surprise to Joel. is a direct result of his conscientious “It was unexpected,” he said. “I’ve just approach to both training and work. been working hard and trying to do well. It “Joel is well-mannered, has a mature is very exciting.” outlook and always has questions,” said With perhaps another 18 months until Scott Gehrke, Joel’s MTA Institute trainer. he completes his apprenticeship, Joel said “He wants to learn, wants to succeed and is he was looking forward to continuing his proud of the work he is doing.” career with Extreme Dents.

Always interested in the CLICK TO “My main goal is to finish my automotive industry, Joel started his GOT TO THE DENTS apprenticeship as early as possible” career by completing an automotive EXTREME WEBSITE he said. “Then I’ll stick with Extreme pre-apprenticeship course.

Dents. I really appreciate the company “I’ve always liked cars, and when and I give them 100 per cent.”

I left school I did a Cert II course for APPRENTICE: JOEL TRAVERS WORKPLACE: EXTREME DENTS APPRENTICESHIP: PANEL BEATING

M E M B E R S

Apprentice of the Month: December

AUTO INDUSTRY EVENT

JOIN SHARK TANK’S STEVE BAXTER AT THIS FREE INFORMATION & NETWORKING EVENT

DATE: Tuesday 20th March 2018 TIME: 6pm VENUE: MTAiQ Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains RSVP: clancyh@mtaq.com.au by Tuesday 13th March Drinks and Nibbles provided.

• I ndustry overview by Brad Collett, Chairman of Tyre and Undercar Division of Queensland (TUDQ) • Launch of Tyrestock and product demonstration • M eet Tony McMahon, Editor of Tyre Business Australia • M eet Jonathan Nash, Editor of Motor Trader e-magazine and www.tyrenews.com.au

TYRENEWS TYRENEWS.COM.AU

20180630

• Network with other businesses in the auto industry

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

MTAQ TO HOST SPECIAL AUTO INDUSTRY EVENT

I

F YOU ARE connected to the auto industry you need to be at this special tyre industry event to be held on Tuesday, the 20th March from 6:00pm.

The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is proud to be hosting a FREE information and networking event for all automotive businesses connected to the tyre sector.

The event will be held at MTAiQ Australia’s first automotive innovation hub and our special guest will be Steve Baxter - he of television's Shark Tank fame, and a successful tech entrepreneur, active investor and mentor to start-ups.

The evening will commence with an industry update by Brad Collett, the MTA Queensland Chairman of the Tyre and Undercar Division of Queensland (TUDQ).

Mr Collett will provide an outlook for the industry in 2018 and beyond, examining

the state of the tyre sector, giving valuable domestic and global insights.

The evening will also act as the official launch of the Tyrestock App - a smart platform for buying tyres online – and will include a product demonstration.

A number of networking opportunities will be available throughout the evening, including the opportunity to meet automotive industry publication editors, Tony McMahon, Editor of Tyre Business Australia and Jonathan Nash, editor of Motor Trader, MTA Queensland’s e-magazine and tyre industry website www. tyrenews.com.au. There will be plenty of networking opportunities for auto industry businesses, and TUDQ committee members will also be in attendance.

This event is open to all connected to the auto industry.

RSVP to clancyh@mtaq.com.au by Tuesday 13th March.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 59

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

Member matters

SOUTHEAST AUTO MECHANICAL OFFERING FREE WORKSHOPS FOR THE GIRLS

CLICK TO VISIT THE SOUTHEAST AUTO MECHANICAL WEBSITE

F

IONNA BLACKBURNE, OWNER of Southeast Auto Mechanical and MTA Queensland member, purchased the Beenleigh business in June 2016 after being involved in the automotive sector for approximately 13 years.

Operating for 15 years previously as an established Repco Authorised Service Centre, Southeast Auto Mechanical’s expert staff is currently made up of Fionna, her second-in-charge and an additional two employees.

In addition to running the business Fionna, who became trade qualified two years ago, knows her way around an engine. And with women often perceived as having limited engine/car maintenance knowledge, Fionna is keen to share her wisdom, for free.

60 | Motor Trader February 2018

Offering free ‘Women’s Essential Car Maintenance Workshops’ every quarter, Fionna and the team at Southeast Auto Mechanical aim to provide women from all walks of life with the necessary knowledge on

Fionna Blackburne

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

basic maintenance of their vehicle in an empowering, supportive and judgementfree space.

With the first workshop conducted in November 2017 welcoming six female participants, Southeast Auto Mechanical is bringing the concept to 2018. Limited to ten women per workshop, participants are encouraged to get hands-on.

“We explain to our attendees why the basic maintenance of their vehicle is so important for safety and reliability,” said Fionna.

“We go over what they need to do to check the oil and fluids, how to check for a common leak, cracked or worn belts, as well as what some of the different filters are and what they do. We then move onto

“FIONNA AND HER TEAM ARE LEADING IN EMPOWERING WOMEN TO CLOSE THE KNOWLEDGE GAP AROUND BASIC CAR REPAIRS AND THIS IS LIKELY TO HELP WITH REDUCING COSTS FOR CAR MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY.”

the braking system and tyres, including how to change a tyre.

“I hope the knowledge will assist attendees in making informed decisions regarding their vehicle and be confident in checking and topping up their car’s fluids. I also hope this will help participants if they do happen to break down or experience a flat tyre.”

The results speak for themselves. The attendees from the first free Women’s Essential Car Maintenance Workshop took home a wealth of knowledge and loved the hands-on learning.

Dr Brett Dale, Group CEO of MTA Queensland said, “The contribution that Southeast Auto Mechanical is making to supporting women in the community is admirable. Fionna and her team are leading in empowering women to close the knowledge gap around basic car repairs and this is likely to help with reducing costs for car maintenance and safety. They are also great skills that could be passed onto children.”

If you are interested in attending a future workshop, please contact Fionna on 07 3807 9910.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 61

Right training.

Right place.

Right way.

RTO No: 31529

AUR20716 - Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation This course designed to give students a comprehensive set of skills as a basic introduction to the automotive industry.

The trainee undertaking this course will learn to: • Service mechanical parts such as the engine, transmission (clutch, gear box and differential) • Service suspension systems (springs, steering, brakes, wheels and tyres) • Identify and inspect mechanical and electrical components of light and heavy vehicles, outdoor power equipment and motorcycles • Perform basic maintenance and repairs On successful completion of this course, students will have a higher level of skills in automotive increasing their employability potential, and greater likelihood of successfully undertaking a n apprenticeship pathway.

Units To successfully complete this course, you must be assessed as competent in the following units: • AURASA002 – Follow safe workplace practices in an automotive workplace • AURAEA002 – Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace • AURAFA003 – Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace • AURTTK002 – Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace

• AURTTA002 – Assist with automotive workplace activities • AURLTA001 – Identify automotive mechanical systems and components • AURETR003 – Identify automotive electrical systems and components • AURETK001 – Identify, select and use low voltage electrical test equipment • AURTTA004 – Carry out servicing operations • AURLTJ003 – Remove and refit motorcycle wheel and tyre assemblies • AURETR015 – Inspect, test and service batteries • AURAFA004 – Resolve routine problems in an automotive workplace

Entry requirements

Training Venue

Contact us for further information on the subsidies and concession rates available.

The MTA Institute campus, Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains or another suitable venue. May include work placement.

Duration 5 weeks.

Delivery There is a range of methods used for our training and assessment which include written and oral questions / answers, and demonstration and observation of practical tasks.

Prospective students must meet eligibility criteria for Certificate 3 Guarantee Subsidies or pay the full fee for the course. Prospective students are only eligible for one subsidised training place.

Fee Information This course is subsidised through the Queensland state government under the Certificate 3 Guarantee.

• $144 Concessional rate • $360 Subsidised rate • $3,375 Full fee

Dates • Monday 15 January – Friday 16 February 2018 • Monday 19 March – Friday 20 April 2018 • Monday 14 May – Friday 15 June 2018

Enrol To assess your eligibility and to apply for enrolment please contact: courses@mtai.edu.au

MTA Institute

Search for MTA Queensland

Free guest Wifi at MTA Institute

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Address Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Postal PO Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Tel (07) 3722 3000 Toll Free 1800 884 137 Email courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au

CLICK TO VISIT THE FAST FIT EXHAUST WEBSITE

What has been your proudest business achievement to date?

What is the best thing about working in your industry?

Fast Fit Exhaust Location: 172 Hugh Street, Townsville

Type of business: Mechanical

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

repairs and servicing, Exhausts

Our business was already a member when we bought it.

Number of employees: 1

How has being an MTAQ member benefited your business?

Trading since: 2009 MTAQ member since: 2009

Access to legal and business advice. Credibility from membership of the peak industry body for the motor industry.

CLICK TO VISIT THE TONICS AUTOMOTIVE WEBSITE

Meeting a diverse range of customers and business associates, and the friendships which can arise.

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

Know your limits and try not to get in over your head.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining MTAQ? Definitely join. It’s very beneficial to your business.

What has been your proudest business achievement to date?

Simply surviving and maintaining growth in a very challenging economic climate.

What is the best thing about working in your industry?

Looking after valued customers and knowing they are satisfied.

Tonics Automotive Location: 21 Hamill Street,

Garbutt, Townsville Type of business: Automotive mechanical repairs and servicing Number of employees: 1 Trading since: April 2017 MTAQ member since: April 2017

How did you hear about the Motor Trades Association of Queensland? (MTAQ) The business was a member when we bought it.

How has being an MTAQ member benefited your business?

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

Make sure the job is done properly and to a high standard.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining MTAQ? I’d say definitely sign up.

Help with training and industrial relations advice.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 63

E S S E N T I A L S

Our proudest achievement was when we purchased what was initially a leased premises.

M E M B E R S

Member profiles

Concept corner

KIA NIRO E

64 | Motor Trader February 2018

V CONCEPT

February 2018 Motor Trader | 65

Concept corner

Kia Niro EV Concept

T

HIS IS THE Niro EV, a new concept speakers. from Kia that was revealed at the If the system Consumer Electronics Show (CES) detects a 2018 in Las Vegas in January. pedestrian or cyclist Part of the Korean company’s strategy crossing in front of the car, the speakers to offer a total of 16 electrified vehicles by sound an alert targeted specifically at that 2025, the Niro EV Concept represents, the person, warning them of the car’s presence. company says, its next step to that goal.

Inside, the Niro has a clean and A fully-electric compact SUV, the Niro minimalist interior, and the infotainment has a couple of exterior features that mark and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air it as an electric vehicle, most notably a conditioning) systems are controlled by smooth interactive display panel instead touch and gesture, with the steering wheel of a traditional grill which is, of course, acting as a remote. The driver can ‘swipe’ no longer required for engine cooling. along a perforated leather area on the Under its skin, the Niro EV Concept base of the wheel, with different gestures boasts new serving to switch VIDEO: NIRO EV CONCEPT FEATURES | CES 2018 | KIA technologies to between music enhance safety for tracks, turn up the pedestrians. volume, and adjust There’s the new cabin ventilation Active Pedestrian settings. A digital Warning System dashboard display (APWS), featuring a provides additional combination of front information to the view cameras and driver, such as vehicle object recognition settings, powertrain technology and front status, and trip 66 | Motor Trader February 2018

A FULLY-ELECTRIC COMPACT SUV, THE NIRO HAS A COUPLE OF EXTERIOR FEATURES THAT MARK IT AS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, MOST NOTABLY A SMOOTH INTERACTIVE DISPLAY PANEL INSTEAD OF A TRADITIONAL GRILL WHICH IS, OF COURSE, NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR ENGINE COOLING.

information.

Furthermore, the vehicle’s HMI (Human Machine Interface) allows drivers to ‘log-in’ to the vehicle using face and voice recognition and the system disables many of the car’s functions if the driver does not pass the identification process.

Kia says the Niro is powered by a nextgeneration electric vehicle powertrain, using new production technologies earmarked for near-future EVs. Energy is provided by a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, paired with a 150kW electric motor which suggests a driving range of 383kms.

February 2018 Motor Trader | 67

For a confirmed abandonment, the employee has effectively left their employment without giving the required notice and hence this leaves them open to having the notice period deducted from their final pay.

M E M B E R S

E S S E N T I A L S

Industrial relations

CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL TED KOWALSKI INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS MANAGER

ABANDONMENT OF EMPLOYMENT

It has become increasingly common to hear about employees going missing for a period of time without any indication from the employee that they intend to return. This can come about as a result of an altercation at the workplace or even following a performance management review. You cannot simply assume that the employee has abandoned his/her employment and must be pro-active in trying to verify his/her intentions.

Attempts should be made via phone, text or email to confirm the employee’s intentions. If that fails, you should send the employee a registered letter indicating that unless you hear from them within, say, five days, you will assume they have no intention of returning and will treat the issue as an abandonment.

IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMMON TO HEAR ABOUT EMPLOYEES GOING MISSING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FROM THE EMPLOYEE THAT THEY INTEND TO RETURN. 68 | Motor Trader February 2018

In a situation where an employee resigns as a result of some action taken by the employer there is a potential for the employee to lodge an unfair dismissal claim. The Fair Work Commission treats these matters as “constructive dismissals” ie., the employee felt he/she had no alternative but to resign given the actions of the employer.

The most common example of this involves a demotion due to poor performance. Prior to an actual demotion, it’s important that the employee be given clear advice that unless their performance improves in specific ways and within a specific timeframe, they will be demoted.

This process is particularly important where the demotion involves a loss of remuneration. If the employee “spits the dummy” and walks out after being given this ultimatum, then any claim of constructive dismissal is highly unlikely to succeed as he/she has not taken up the opportunity to show improvement.

A range of other scenarios can also trigger claims of constructive dismissal and include bullying, harassment, discrimination, excessive supervision and treating one employee less favourably than others.

As with any claim of CLICK FOR MORE ON unfair dismissal, the facts INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS will determine whether the applicant has an arguable case.

Right training.

Right place.

Right way.

RTO No: 31529

MTA INSTITUTE

COURSES PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR COURSE (PDR) INTRODUCTORY

24 - 25 February 2018 Click for more information.

HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE COURSE INTRODUCTORY

27 March 2018, 6pm – 9pm 15 May 2018, 6pm – 9pm Click for more information.

ADVANCED 5 - 7 March 2018, 8am – 4pm 3, 10, 17, 24 April 2018, 6pm – 9pm 5 - 7 June 2018, 8am – 4pm Click for more information.

MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE 7 March 2018, 8am – 12pm 18 April 2018, 8am – 12pm 24 May 2018, 8am – 12pm Click for more information.

AIR CONDITIONING COURSE

SKILLS SET TRAINING (2 DAY)

COMMON RAIL DIESEL INJECTION COURSE

31 January - 1 February 2018 4 - 5 April 2018 30 - 31 May 2018 Click for more information.

20 February 2018, 6pm - 9pm 24 April 2018, 6pm - 9pm 19 June 2018, 6pm - 9pm Click for more information.

19 – 21 February 2018 23 – 26 April 2018 18 – 20 June 2018 Click for more information.

INTRODUCTORY

GAP TRAINING (3 DAY)

Motor Vehicle Salesperson, Motor Vehicle Dealer, Motor Wrecker Salesperson and Motor Dealer Wrecker courses are available online - enrol now. Click for more information.

All Courses are held at the MTA Institute

Search for MTA Queensland

Free guest Wifi at MTA Institute

20170566

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

Investment matters

MARKET WRAP

E

QUITIES CONTINUED THEIR strong run in December. In the US, tax reforms passed the Congress in possibly the biggest upheaval since the 1970s, and the US Federal Reserve continued gradually increasing interest rates. The S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index closed up 1.81%. Energy and Materials continued to outperform as global growth continues to strengthen, while Utilities came under pressure.

The Australian market ended up a healthy 11.80% for the year, posting its sixth straight annual rise supported by commodities and a range of growth stocks.

A number of significant events in 2017 impacted financial markets. They included: the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States (January); the UK activating Article 50 and commencing the European Union exit process (March); a convincing victory for President Macron in France (May); North Korea completing its sixth nuclear missile test (September); Xi Jinping being named for a second five-year term as party general secretary at China’s Communist Party congress (October); and the US Senate approving sweeping tax reform (December).

While the ASX 200 is above 6,000 for the first time in a decade, Australian equities lagged global peers by ~10% in 2017. This was primarily due to weaker earnings per share (EPS) growth and a relative price 70 | Motor Trader February 2018

THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET ENDED UP A HEALTHY 11.80% FOR THE YEAR, POSTING ITS SIXTH STRAIGHT ANNUAL RISE SUPPORTED BY COMMODITIES AND A RANGE OF GROWTH STOCKS. earnings (PE) derating as the world PE rose, while Australia remained broadly flat. From a sector perspective, the simple reason for Australia’s underperformance is that the market is heavily overweight banks and heavily underweight IT. The local bank sector struggled for EPS growth in 2017 and delivered +2% total return. Australia has close to nil weighting in IT, which was the strongest performing sector globally by a large margin (+37%). Excluding the banks, the ASX 200 tracked broadly in-line with global trends.

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

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

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

Members first, always.

For over 25 years we’ve built our name as the leading industry fund for the automotive industry.

Whether you’re paying your team’s super, or building your own, we have the tools, resources and people to help you make financial decisions that work for you.

To find out how we can support you, call us or visit our website today.

1300 362 415 mtaasuper.com.au/get-started

This document is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.