National Collision Repairer June 2025

Some great stories to tell

On a mild Melbourne night in May, the industry had one of those rare occasions when it could put aside the cares of the working day and celebrate some of the best people who work in it. This was the nineteenth NCR Lifetime Achievements Awards and once again it showed the value in celebrating the people who make up an industry. The people who are at the heart of its ability to overcome challenges and thrive.

We know how many challenges the collision industry currently faces, whether it is skills shortages, ever-advancing technology or the simple but daily task of meeting volumes and creating the margins that build a sustainable business. Given these relentless demands, the chance to pause and reflect is always a valuable one. Even better when it can focus in on some of the assets that are too readily taken for granted; the people who make an industry run.

This magazine has always taken delight in telling the stories of these people in their workshops, not only because they are the engine room of the industry but also its heart and soul. Of course, what make the Lifetime Achievement Awards special is that ability once a year, to pause and reflect on outstanding role models in collision repair. These are some of its peak performers who despite the difficulties, are forging a bright future through their works and their example.

This year’s list of Lifetime Achievement finalists covers many areas of achievement and excellence. I personally don’t have a role

in the voting or selection of the winner, but I would say the calibre of finalist was so good any one of them was worthy of this special gong. Anybody would have found the selection of a final winner from among such finalists a close thing and a difficult task. So, a big congratulations to all who made that august shortlist of the industry’s best, along with a big thank-you for all you have done.

The eventual winners’ achievements speak for themselves. Awards can only capture a fraction of what made them stand out and all they have contributed but we hope this moment in the sun shines a little light on their achievement.

If you could not be there on the night, take the time to read about the contributions of these people. We have four pages dedicated to the winners in this edition to ensure their example and inspiration continues for the year to come. So, take the time to reflect on these examples and even think about who you might know who has an equally proud story to tell. We are always willing to listen.

We also owe some special thanks to our partners; PPG, Saint Gobain, 3M, PartsCheck and Sheen Group whose continued commercial support make great nights like these possible.

In addition, we want to thank our association partners; the Australian Collision Industry Alliance, the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority, the Auto Glass Association, I-Car Australia and WorldSkills Australia.

Each of these organisations helped make the night a success, but moreover, the ongoing contributions they make ensure the collision industry is ready for a thriving future. For this, we are proud to partner with them.

Eugene Duffy Editor

The National Collision Repairer

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John Murphy

john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

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Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

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Andrew Morrison andrew.morrison@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

Eugene Duffy

eugene.duffy@primecreative.com.au 0412 821 706

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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Michael Ingram

michael.ingram@primecreative.com.au 0423 266 991

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The National Collision Repairer magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in National Collision Repairer magazine is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including information and retrieval systems without written permission of the publisher. The editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in National Collision Repairer magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher unless otherwise stated.

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Features

It’s about time

You can’t make time but you can use time more wisely and PPG’s new low energy cure solutions are all about offering that versatility, according to John Hristias, PPG Sales Director Australia.

As I travel around the country working with customers, one of the common requests I get is ‘can you give us more time?’ Collision centre owners are resigned to the fact that they can’t get more skilled staff so what they want PPG to do is give them solutions that let them process more work with the team they already have. This is what has made people so excited about PPG’s latest low energy cure range. With no need to purchase any extra equipment or make major changes, these products can be slotted straight into a shop’s production process where they offer the ability to instantly reduce cycle-time and application time, reduce energy cost per job via shorter or no bake cycle in order to process more volume and, therefore, boost profitability. The beauty is that this is not just one new product – this PPG developed solution actually takes a holistic approach, from the primer stage, to the new, flexible Envirobase High Performance basecoat

PPG’s latest low energy cure range can be introduced into a workshop process without any additional equipment and can save valuable time.

application, right through to the final clearcoat curing. Best of all, it’s not just theory – as their popularity grows in the market, we are finding these technologies really work in real life.

Prime time

For example, when it comes to priming you have two high tech PPG options. The UV cured technology – ONECHOICE® UV8080 UV Cured Primer Surfacer aerosol and the sprayable OneChoice SU1280 UV Cured Primer Surfacer – is still a really good option thanks to its excellent film build and incredible speed. However, in the current industry climate we are finding that repairers are tending to

do larger jobs, as smaller repairs have dried up, and a lot of second-hand parts are being used where they need some repairs and priming. This is where LVP-565 Air-Dry Primer plays a really good role. For a start, it air-dries in just 30 minutes (@ 20°C), at which point it’s fully cured and ready to sand. If required, you can also hit it with IR for five minutes @ 45°C to 50°C (check the product data sheet). The best bit is that instead of having to apply multiple primer coats with flash-off in between, LVP-565 Air-Dry Primer is applied in a rapid, single visit mode where absolutely no flash-off is required. Think of what you could do with this time saving alone.

Not only that, it also features excellent film build and, the ability to lay down a super smooth film, makes it extremely easy to sand. This has already made it a favourite amongst painters. Finally, what really surprises people is the great gloss holdout it has after being cured and topcoated.

Clear leadership

We also have two new low energy cure clearcoat options. LVC-131 UHS Clearcoat is a multipurpose solution that suits anything from a single panel to a full respray. It offers excellent flexibility to choose the bake cycle that fits with your production process – either a short, 15 minute (@ 60°C) high temperature cure, or 40 minutes (@ 40°C) low temperature cure. Having said that, we are finding that a lot of people are taking the air-dry option using LVC-177 Rapid Performance Clearcoat. Instead of a conventional clearcoat that takes 30 to 40 minutes to bake at high temperature, LVC177’s air-dry mode means that after application it’s dust free and ready to handle in just 20 minutes @ 20°C. And if you want to go faster, we are seeing bake times of just eight to ten minutes @ 50°C in a good quality booth. With something as fast as these low energy cure solutions, people automatically

one

a

expect a certain loss of gloss and difficulty in polishing. In fact, what has really surprised repairers is how good the gloss holdout is, how hard these clearcoats are after curing and how easy they are to polish. Application is via a fast, single visit mode (a light closed coat followed by a full wet coat) or you can go with the traditional two coat method. Another feature that factors into the return on investment potential for these products is that they go on so smoothly, repairers are actually finding that consumption is considerably lower than with conventional clearcoats. When you add up all the advantages, these clearcoats are just a win/win/ win.

Time to embrace sustainability

The key reason behind PPG’s development of these low energy cure solutions was to reduce the burden of rising energy costs on collision centre operations and, although that has taken a backseat to the speed, ease of use and quality, it’s still a major contributing factor.

Essentially, by simply choosing these products your business is

automatically more sustainable without even thinking about it. As well as the ability to lower your electricity and gas bills, the reduced carbon footprint of your business is also something you can communicate to your customers and work providers.

Note: PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team conducted a comprehensive study across the local industry to determine an average energy cost per job. After analysing over 50,000 individual repair jobs it was calculated to be approximately $31.00 per job. As those costs continue to rise, energy usage is becoming an increasingly important factor in the repair process.

Time to change

The versatility of PPG’s low energy cure solutions makes them perfectly suitable for virtually any size of shop – whether turning out one to two cars a day, through to 20, 30 or more. There are no finicky techniques to master, no special equipment to purchase and painters seem to be genuinely excited about utilising new technologies. It does take a small mindset change when switching from conventional bake cycle products but it’s also very straightforward and easy to achieve. Even as they enjoy the benefits, many repairers are blown away by the quality element of these product, asking ‘how can something this fast be so good?’ We suggest you give them a try to find out.

PPG Sales Director Australia John Hristias.

Time is

of

workshops most valuable commodities and incremental savings on each spray job can add up. Images:

Product Showcase

Precision: the starting point

When the outcome of body repairs can have a profound impact on vehicle safety, accuracy is a vital starting point in the repair process.

Fast and precise upper and lower body measurements are the groundwork from which repairers can pursue quality repairs.

Car-O-Liner with its global reputation for dependability, has shown this important step does not have to happen at the expense of efficiency in the workshop.

Advanced and accurate

The Car-O-Tronic Advanced System has built a reputation as one the fastest, most accurate and easiest three-dimensional measuring system available on the automotive repair market.

Car-O-Liner brings a sophisticated measuring system into the workshop that has a simple objective; to raise the quality of every diagnosis, that in turn will deliver shorter cycle times and increase workshop efficiency and profitability.

The system begins with the hardware; the advanced Car-OTronic measuring slide equipped with sensors that also has built-in remote controls that can deliver data in real time, three times per second.

Car-O-Liner’s renowned innovation and experience with workshop equipment is reflected in the design, its compatibly with any alignment bench and its ease of use including

ease in moving around, changing batteries and smart-LED light to indicate correct measure points.

Once in place the Car-O-Tronic measuring slide then delivers real-time data to the easy- to-use Vision2 software.

Car-O-Tronic links wirelessly with the Vision2 software and in turn, can be linked to the Car-O-Data information system, giving access to a comprehensive data base on the majority of vehicle models and makes.

A major advantage of this wireless system is technicians can manage the entire measuring process without having to be at the computer.

Vision2 measuring software

Car-O-Tronic communicates wirelessly with Vision2, Car-O-Liner’s state-ofthe-art measuring software that guides the entire repair process and performs automatic centring, measuring and documentation.

Vision2 comes in three versions beginning with the basic X1 System for lower-body measuring and the X2 for lower- and upper-body measuring and includes a high measurement point adapter. The X3 can be used for upper-body point-to-point measuring on vehicles, including full frames, light trucks and SUV’s and has multiple features including a suspension diagnosis check, to find bent suspension parts during the repair process, as well as surface damage diagnosis.

The worldwide VIN decoding system integrates with the world’s largest vehicle dimension database and has multimedia support for the EVO universal system for anchoring, fixturing and holding.

Any vehicle, any time

The Car-O-Data subscription service covers nearly all new and updated vehicles – presently more than 16,500 models in total – and consistently provides access to current and reliable measurement data.

The vehicle measurement data service also generates updates for about 300 new vehicles per year.

The Car-O-Data Index, accessible from the Info Centre menu, allows the system to update the workshop’s vehicle database instantaneously over the Internet. New interim data sheets and reference data for numerous new and old vehicle makes including model, body code, wheelbase, year are updated and available for downloading regularly .

The new vehicles are measured and compiled continuously by the dedicated international Car-O-Data team working in cooperation with automotive manufacturers around the world.

The database is also image based to ensure easier location of correct measuring points. Other advanced features include animated set- and clamping positions for easy and accurate mounting while holding and anchoring data.

Images:

Car-O-Liner

The easy-to -use Car-O-Tronic measuring system is designed to increase workshop efficiency but maintain the highest levels of accuracy.

The technician can collect important measuring data without being at the computer.

Faster, clearer, cleaner: enter Smart Receipting

There are never enough hours in the day. Repairers want to fix cars, not waste time chasing paperwork that doesn’t move the business forward.

But for many workshops, outdated paper receipts for essentials like parts continue to slow things down. Manual handling, double-checking, and misfiling all add up. It complicates reconciliation, invites errors, and works against the lean, efficient, sustainable operations that modern repairers are aiming for.

This is the daily admin headache most businesses put up with. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

The paper chase chaos

Let’s follow the frustrating journey of a single paper receipt.

A part arrives at the workshop. A delivery driver hands over the part, along with a paper invoice. So far, so normal. The receptionist gives it a quick once-over, signs it off, and places it on a growing pile of paperwork. That’s when the chaos begins.

Next, someone — maybe the

workshop manager or estimator — pulls it out again to cross-check it against a job sheet or purchase order. There’s scribbling, manual marking, maybe even Post-it notes. Eventually, it’s “filed” in a drawer, on a desk, or under a coffee cup.

And the cycle continues.

Sometimes, someone scans the receipt, renames it, and files it digitally, hoping it ends up in the right folder. Repeating this process dozens of times a day becomes a huge drain on time and energy.

When it’s time to reconcile or invoice, the accounts team is left rummaging through piles, deciphering handwriting, correcting mistakes, and keying in data manually.

All this time isn’t just frustrating, it’s costing your business productivity, profit, and peace of mind.

There’s a smarter way

This is where Smart Receipting comes in, cutting through the chaos with a cleaner, paperless way to manage parts and invoices.

Built into PartsCheck, Smart Receipting is a sleek new tool designed to eliminate paperwork altogether and streamline how your workshop handles receipting and invoicing.

Why Smart Receipting matters

Before we get into how it works, here’s why it makes a difference:

• Time savings: What once took hours now takes seconds.

• Cost savings: Spend less on paper, printing, and filing.

• Fewer errors: No more lost receipts or manual data mistakes.

• Better supplier relationships: Instant, accurate communication keeps things running smoothly.

• Sustainability: Going paperless shows you’re serious about ESG and reducing your footprint.

This isn’t just about speed. It’s about transforming how your business runs.

How it works

Here’s how Smart Receipting simplifies everything:

The accumulation of paper receipts often involves inefficient handling and the increased risk of error.

• Activated suppliers send a digital invoice directly into PartsCheck.

• The system instantly matches it to your quote or order.

• Discrepancies are flagged automatically.

• You can receipt or invoice the parts straight from your device, in real time.

It’s fast, accurate, and completely digital.

A step forward for ESG and smarter business

Going paperless isn’t just good practice, it’s smart business. ESG is quickly becoming a key priority in the industry. Smart Receipting helps your workshop walk the talk when it comes to sustainability, governance, and efficiency.

By reducing paper usage, you’re cutting waste, lowering your footprint, and showing customers and suppliers that your business is serious about how it operates.

It’s time to ditch the chaos Smart Receipting by PartsCheck isn’t just another feature. It’s a smarter way of working.

If your workshop is ready to move faster, reduce errors, save time, and work more sustainably,

now’s the time to go digital.

Say goodbye to the paper pile. Say hello to Smart Receipting, available now in PartsCheck, simply log in and click ‘Activate Now’ or sign up if you’re new! Your workshop deserves nothing less. Welcome to the future.

Product Showcase

Lighting the way

Automotive lighting is becoming one of an increasingly important safety feature on modern vehicles. But as head to tail collisions are still common, fixing headlights is an important part of the overall repair outcome. This means precise calibration. To ensure the job is done well, safely and completely, it is worth turning to the pioneering expert in the field, Hella Gutmann.

Pioneering light

For decades, HELLA has been a pioneer in automotive lighting, trusted by vehicle manufacturers and workshops alike. As lighting systems have grown more sophisticated— featuring LED technology, matrix beams, and adaptive high beam assist—the need for equally advanced diagnostic and calibration tools has become critical. That’s where HELLA Gutmann steps in. As an expert in workshop equipment and diagnostics, and heritage in lighting innovation, it’s only natural their beam setter range is at the forefront of headlamp testing and adjustment technology.

The SEG series by HELLA Gutmann exemplifies this dual legacy of lighting expertise and workshop precision. To cater for the maximum

SEG V, SEG IV-SE and SEG IVDLLX to offer tailored solutions for a range of needs, all with German engineering precision.

SEG V: Smart, precise and future-ready.

The SEG V is HELLA Gutmann’s most advanced headlamp tester. Its standout feature? An 8.4” touchscreen with a simple, intuitive interface. It also offers vehicle-specific detection, ensuring accurate calibration even on glare-free high beam systems. Thanks to automatic or manual level compensation, it adjusts for floor unevenness — a crucial detail for modern workshops. Compliant with German guidelines, it’s a benchmark in beam setter technology.

SEG IV-SE: Versatile and workshop-proven

The SEG IV-SE is specifically aimed at SUVs, vans, or any vehicles with high-mounted headlights. It features an extended column height (up to 1650 mm) and a hybrid sight system combining laser and analog for pinpoint accuracy — even in challenging lighting.

Its 120° reflection angle also allows

The SEG V unit is adaptable, highly portable and can even adjust to uneven workshop floors.

SEG IV-DLLX: Reliable, robust and ready

The almost identical analog sister device SEG IV DLLX is excellent value for money. No less precise, it is a budget-friendly alternative for workshops who can do without the extra-long column and the practical hybrid sight of the SEG IV SE. Whether rail-mounted or free-standing, it adapts easily to your workspace. Whether you’re focused on smart diagnostics, robust workshop performance, or future-proof flexibility — HELLA Gutmann has the right solution for your needs. Backed by decades of lighting expertise, our equipment delivers professional results you can trust.

With HELLA Gutmann’s beam setters, you’re not just adjusting headlights—you’re ensuring safety, performance, and trust on the road.

For more information visit: www.hella.com/techworld/au

All three variations on the system ensure accuracy and precision in headlamp adjustment.

Headlight adjustment?

Trust the pioneers in lighting.

Hella Gutmann’s headlight adjustments tools combine workshop precision with HELLA’s unmatched legacy in automotive lighting.

Designed for accuracy, built for the future, our SEG series ensure every adjustment meets the highest standards in safety and performance.

Check out some of HELLA’s innovative lighting technology

Images:

Hella

Setting the benchmark in beam setting technology, Hella’s SEG V is designed with the efficient workshop in mind.

Product Showcase

Innovating for efficiency and precision

Saint-Gobain Abrasives stands as a global leader in the manufacturing of high-performance abrasive solutions, catering to a diverse range of industries. With renowned brands such as Norton and Farecla under its umbrella, the company provides an extensive portfolio of cutting, grinding, masking and polishing products meticulously designed for precision and efficiency. At the core of SaintGobain Abrasives’ philosophy is a steadfast commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring that both industrial and commercial applications benefit from top-tier performance.

Norton Amber & Azure sanding discs

In any body shop, sanding discs can represent a significant portion of consumable turnover. However, a strategic investment in quality can yield substantial returns in terms of reduced wastage and valuable time savings. Norton, a widely trusted brand from Saint-Gobain, has introduced two new sanding disc ranges, the Azure Film Q216 and Amber A293 series, aimed at enhancing workplace efficiency and profitability without compromising the quality of the final job.

The key to their effectiveness lies in their superior quality: these discs are harder wearing, experience less clogging, and offer fast cut rates. This translates to a more reliable disc, fewer changeovers, and less need for rework. Consequently, fewer discs are consumed, and critically, technicians spend less time on each sanding job. Studies indicate that while consumables constitute about nine percent of a workshop’s cost on an average repair job, abrasives account for less than a tenth of that. In contrast, labour can average as much as 45 percent of the job’s overall costs, with nearly a third of this time spent using abrasives. Any increased investment in quality abrasive consumables that successfully cuts labour time has the potential to deliver savings at a remarkable ratio of more than twenty to one.

Optimal durability with Azure Film

The Norton Azure Film is positioned as Norton’s premium offering, promising a host of features and benefits. Unlike conventional paper discs that may not sand dead flat and can wear away quickly on edges and contours, the film disc maintains its strength, allowing for consistent work even in challenging areas.

The Azure Film disc features a polyester film backing and utilizes P-graded premium aluminium oxide with ceramic, ensuring extra durability with minimal clogging and fewer changeovers. This polyester backing

not only adds strength, resisting tearing, but also provides the flexibility needed to conform to the contours and uneven surfaces increasingly common in modern automotive panels. The film backing gives you a flatter surface than paper backing, which creates better grain retention and less edge wear than you see on a paper backed disc. The blend of premium aluminium oxide with ceramic results in a faster cut that sands flat and produces a consistent scratch pattern, further saving time and reducing rework.

The Azure Film discs are designed to resist clogging, using a water-based

Norton Amber and Azure (above) sanding discs are an investment in efficiency. Images: Saint Gobain

efficiency, and prolong the disc’s life. The hook and loop Speed-grip backing facilitates easy and quick changeovers, particularly beneficial when multiple sanding steps are required. These discs cut consistently for maximum productivity, delivering a uniform, precise finish across a range of surfaces including primed or painted surfaces, wood, composites, aluminium, and ferrous metals.

Value performance with Amber Norton’s Amber series sanding discs serve as the workhorse for any body shop. Designed for dry sanding, these discs feature a more economical paper backing that has been reinforced with latex to ensure flexibility and durability. Similar to the Azure Film series, the Amber series also employs the special No-Fil® coatings to minimize interruptions from clogging and reduce the need for frequent changeovers. Keeping these discs clog-free extends their life and reduces wastage, which is particularly important for workshops with high disc turnover. The hook & loop Speed-grip backing ensures easy and quick disc changes when needed. The Amber series also uses P-graded premium aluminium oxide abrasives, producing a quick, cool cut and a more consistent surface finish. They are suitable for use on primed or painted surfaces, wood, composites, aluminium, and ferrous metals.

Farecla G360 Premium Polishing Systems

Every skilled body technician strives for a perfect finish, while every business owner is concerned with

its experience and innovation into developing the G360 Super Fast system, a solution that delivers the high-quality results workshops demand while also saving time, energy, and product. The G360 system is not only fast and easy to use but also eliminates the need for P3000 abrasive paper, reducing product usage and providing significant overall cost savings.

Farecla’s commitment is to deliver top-quality results while making the finishing process faster, easier, and more sustainable. Leveraging its expertise in complete finishing systems, trusted in workshops globally, Farecla has introduced innovations that remove steps from the traditional finishing process. Their compounds employ engineered abrasive technology, developed in their dedicated research and development facility using the highest quality raw materials. This ensures that the abrasive particles quickly, efficiently, and permanently remove defects such as scratches, sanding marks, swirls, holograms, and oxidation. While fillers can wash away or degrade with weather, causing defects to reappear, Farecla’s abrasive technology systems provide a permanent finish, avoiding the need for reworks.

Fast, easy steps toward perfection

Testing conducted by Farecla has demonstrated that the G360 Superfast system can offer considerable savings in the finishing process. The cumulative savings in time, product,

and energy for every finishing job contribute to substantial improvements in workshop processes, aiding efficiency and potential profitability. Farecla’s testing has shown the G360 system to be up to 48 percent faster than competing systems, consume up to 42 percent less energy, and require up to 56 percent less polish.

How it works

The G360 system streamlines the polishing process into simple steps:

• Step 1: High Cut: The G360 Super Fast Compound used in this stage eliminates the need for P3000 sanding discs, a groundbreaking advancement that offers multiple benefits. When used with the recommended G Mop Super High Cut Pad (GMC650), it provides a super-fast cutting action that permanently removes P1500 sanding marks. The compound is transparent in use, allowing technicians clear visibility as scratches are removed. It is also a waterless process incorporating easy glide technology, ensuring good handling and faster polishing.

• Step 2: Medium Cut: During this stage, the G360 Super Fast Compound continues to deliver a fast-cutting action. Utilizing a recommended applicator like the G Mop Flexible Yellow Compounding Foam, it permanently removes process marks such as swirls and holograms. This step maintains the benefits of easy visibility and excellent handling, allowing for fast polishing to achieve an excellent high-gloss finish on light colours and preparing dark colours for a fine cut finish.

• Step 3: Optional Fine Cut: For technicians seeking an ultra-high gloss finish, particularly on dark colours, the G360 Super Fast Finish is the ideal choice for the final step. This product, used with the G Mop 6” Flexible Finishing Foam, effectively eliminates swirl marks while enhancing the gloss level. It is also transparent in use and requires minimal wiping, thus limiting contact with the perfected surface.

Farecla offers the G360 Super Fast Polishing System in various kits to suit different needs.

For more information, users can visit farecla.com/product-range-g360.

The game-changing innovation of the G360 Super Fast system is its ability to eliminate a step in the process but also deliver optimum quality finishes.

European innovation hits Aussie workshops

In collision repair and restoration, efficiency, reliability, and superior protection against corrosion aren’t just preferences—they’re essential.

Recognised across Europe for their innovative corrosion prevention solutions, BRUNOX has made a considerable impact on both industrial and automotive sectors.

Originating from Switzerland, BRUNOX’s range of rust-prevention products, initially developed for heavy industrial applications, has become indispensable in automotive applications worldwide. Notably, several major European automotive manufacturers now explicitly reference BRUNOX products in their workshop service manuals.

Collision repair and restoration professionals face daily challenges from rust and corrosion—challenges that BRUNOX products tackle head-on.

Here are three standout BRUNOX automotive solutions (from their extensive range): BRUNOX Epoxy Rust Stop and Primer, BRUNOX Turbo Spray, and BRUNOX IX 100, each tailored to deliver exceptional performance and ease of use for collision repair specialists.

BRUNOX Epoxy Rust Stop and Primer: Dual action protection

BRUNOX Epoxy Rust Stop and Primer is a premium, multifunction product formulated to neutralise rust and simultaneously prime metal surfaces, significantly streamlining the repair process.

Combining the power of epoxy resin with innovative anti-corrosion additives, BRUNOX Epoxy penetrates deep into corroded surfaces, sealing rust in a robust, durable layer. It converts rust into a resilient and stable organometallic iron complex.

Brunox Rust Stop and Primer is a single pack epoxy, providing longer shelf life and ease of preparation.

Unlike conventional rust converters or primers that require multiple separate processes, BRUNOX Epoxy handles it all in one go. Its remarkable

adhesion properties make it ideal as a primer for automotive coatings, fillers, and paints, ensuring optimal bonding and long-lasting durability.

Why BRUNOX Epoxy is perfect for repair and restoration

• Time savings: Eliminates multiple steps, saving both labour hours and materials.

• E xceptional durability: Creates a corrosion-resistant coating able to withstand harsh automotive environments.

• Versatility: Suitable for various metals, including steel, aluminium, and alloys.

For panel beaters and painters facing tight deadlines and demanding quality standards, BRUNOX Epoxy offers unmatched convenience, quality, and reliability.

BRUNOX Turbo Spray: Silicon free multi-tool in your workshop BRUNOX Turbo Spray, is the ultimate multifunctional aerosol lubricant and corrosion inhibitor that deserves a permanent spot in your workshop toolkit.

Turbo Spray is a non-silicon product which makes it compatible with paint shop operations (silicon is a particularly troublesome contaminant for automotive painting).

Originally developed for heavy industrial maintenance, Turbo Spray quickly found favour among automotive professionals thanks to its remarkable versatility.

Turbo Spray is 5 products in one: It’s a penetrating oil, lubricant, corrosion protector, moisture displacer, and cleaner— five essential functions in a single spray.

BRUNOX Turbo Spray excels in releasing stubbornly seized components and fasteners, lubricating hinges and mechanical parts, and even providing temporary anticorrosion protection during interim stages of repair. Its fast-acting formula efficiently displaces moisture, preventing future corrosion and safeguarding components during the refinishing process.

Practical benefits of silicon-free Turbo Spray for panel shops

• No silicon: won’t leave silicon residue or airborne silicates that can spoil painted surfaces.

• Rapid penetration: Quickly loosens rusted bolts, screws, and seized parts.

• Immediate moisture displacement: Perfect for wet climates and damp conditions in body shops.

• Economical and convenient: Reduces inventory and expense by replacing multiple single-use products.

Repairers can rely on the new Brunox range for protection. Image: U-pol

Turbo Spray’s unparalleled utility ensures it becomes an indispensable companion for daily workshop operations, significantly enhancing workflow efficiency.

BRUNOX IX 100: Advanced corrosion protection for bare metal surfaces

Initially engineered to protect industrial machinery, components, and metal structures in extreme environmental conditions, BRUNOX IX 100 excels in automotive applications. It provides a highly effective transparent barrier that is non-hardening, self-healing, and exceptionally resistant to water, salt spray, and humidity.

For any metal that remains uncoated particularly in hard-to-reach box sections, IX 100 provides years of protection.

Applied via spray, brush, or dipping, IX 100 is particularly useful for storing panels and components safely between project stages or while

awaiting painting. Its film thickness is minimal, yet highly protective, ensuring critical tolerances aren’t compromised.

Key advantages of IX 100 for automotive applications

• Long-lasting, transparent protection: Does not affect metal appearance or interfere with subsequent painting or finishing processes.

• Self-healing film: Offers ongoing protection against scratches or mechanical damage, reducing risks of corrosion during storage.

• Easy removal: Can be easily removed with standard degreasers or solvents prior to final painting or coating, leaving no residues.

• Superior protection: Offers protection under extreme storage conditions, ensuring panels remain corrosion-free and ready for refinishing.

For automotive professionals committed to delivering pristine finishes, BRUNOX IX 100 is the assurance you need when quality counts most.

BRUNOX – trusted in Europe. now available in Australia

As European automotive brands have demonstrated through their endorsement, BRUNOX’s rustprevention products deliver proven, reliable performance under real-world conditions. BRUNOX Epoxy Rust Stop and Primer, BRUNOX Turbo Spray, and BRUNOX IX 100 each offer collision repair and restoration professionals significant productivity enhancements, superior protection, and unmatched convenience.

Collision repair and restoration professionals can now benefit from the same reliability and protection that their European counterparts have trusted for decades. Incorporating BRUNOX into your workflow isn’t just practical—it’s smart business, enabling faster, better-quality repairs that stand the test of time.

Find out where to buy and more at Brunox.com.au

Talking Shop

When business and passions merge

Learning ways to adapt and diversify a business is sometimes the key to keeping

Leaning into their passions of cars and motorbikes, the Payne’s have found a way to reignite and expand their passion for the collision repair industry.

Husband and wife team, Matt and Kirsti Payne are co-owners of Central Coast Smash Repairs. Onto their second workshop, Central Coast Smash Repairs is located in Gosford in the heart of the Central Coast, New South Wales.

Growing their team over ten years, the Payne’s now employ fifteen workers, and repair between 25 and 30 vehicles per week.

Both work in hands-on roles. Kirsti looks after the accounts, the books, the wages, the creditors, promos, marketing, and their social media. Kirsti’s background was in veterinary drug company, where she was sales

area manager, before jumping ship to manage their Central Coast workshop.

Working in the industry for over 35 years, Matt started off as an apprentice panel beater at 16 years old. Decades down the line, Matt is now in charge and takes on the role of quoting and back-end duties.

“He was only on the tools for a few years before becoming a foreman, and then a manager,” Kirsti says.

“After that, he decided he wanted to buy a workshop, so he did.”

Matt and Kirsti bought the business after it had been in operation for 30 years. After owning a workshop in Sydney called Pymble Accident Repair Centre for seven years, the Payne’s were well versed in the industry and knew what they wanted in a shop straight away.

“Even though we owned a workshop

in Sydney, we actually lived closer to the Central Coast,” Kirsti says.

“We pretty much just drove around the Central Coast area and spotted a few workshops that sparked our interest.”

The Payne’s then approached a few workshops and asked if they were interested in selling. After a few hard no’s, one workshop did a double take.

“The workshop originally said they weren’t interested in selling. A few weeks later however, we got a call saying they had changed their minds,” Kirsti says.

With a buyer for their Sydney shop already lined up, it was the perfect time to make the purchase and set up shop on the Central Coast.

“We sold the Pymble workshop and bought this one simultaneously,” Kirsti says.

Matt and Kirsti Payne are proud of what they have bult up at Central Coast Smash Repairs.

“It was a nightmare trying to juggle everything at once.”

“I was eight months pregnant with our second child and learning how to do all the behind-the-scenes work was a massive learning curve.”

The new workshop however, had multiple advantages.

“The size of the new workshop, the presentation of it, and the layout is what really drew us to this workshop,” Kirsti says.

“We’ve got a block of land next door that we rent so we can store all our work in progress. It really ticked all the boxes.”

10 years in business

Having been in their current location for the last decade, the Payne’s have grown their business in more ways than one.

“We have tripled in sales since 2015,” Kirsti says.

“We have two staff members who were with the original owner. We’ve also brought on quite a few new staff members.”

The workshop has three painters, and two painting apprentices, three panel beaters, and two apprentice panel beaters, and a detailer.

“We try and lead our team by example,” Kirsti says. “We have a great team around us.”

Initial challenges

Coming from a sales background, Kirsti was shocked by the complexity of the industry at first.

“It took a few years to get my head around the industry and how it worked,” Kirsti says.

“The quoting, the assessors

and the insurance took a bit of understanding to fully grasp the entire repair process.”

Kirsti also highlighted how the necessity of getting people back on the road often presented an emotional side for customers which businesses had to try to navigate.

“Cars are people’s second biggest asset, and they need them for work and general life duties,” Kirsti says.

“So, when you tell them they will be without a car for five days, they look at you like; ‘what am I supposed to do?’

“It was a hurdle to get over for the first few years.”

Defining success

For Central Coast Smash Repairs, being in business means making a profit in order to be able to look after their staff.

“If you aren’t making a profit, you won’t be in business very long,” Kirsti says.

“We have a low turnover of staff, and people want to work here. We find that to be a great success of ours.”

Ensuring that interactions with staff are positive and encouraging is a key strength of the business, according to Kirsti.

“Our ability to talk to staff and manage them I believe is a real strength,” Kirsti says.

“We don’t speak to them as though they’re beneath us. I try to give the guys a lot of ownership over the business. We include them when we are trying to fix problems.”

Changing practices

Going through some core changes within the business, the Payne’s have gone over their business with a fine tooth comb this past year,

Images: Central Coast Smash Repairs

Central coast Smash repairs is committed to high quality repairs and innovation in all its techniques and processes.

Talking Shop

aiming to increase efficiencies.

start of this year when we changed paint companies,” Kirsti says.

in and off systems and rearranged the way we store parts.

“I have left no stone unturned. I am always looking at where we can grow and do better.”

Central Coast Smash Repairs now use De Beers as its paint supplier and

going on.”

Passion project

With a keen interest in motorbikes, and specifically Harley Davidsons, the Paynes have ventured into the

has been a project they have enjoyed working on over the last 15 months.

“We found a fabulous airbrusher that we work in conjunction with, and we also do custom paints,” Kirsti says.

As the Payne’s were really starting to feel ‘the pinch’, they knew they needed to find another outlet in the repair industry.

“We knew we needed to have a change, so we found a way through Big Boss to diversify a bit,” Kirsti says.

“When we hear that a bike is coming into the workshop, we drop everything and run out to see it. We love bikes.”

Changing industry

Kirsti acknowledged the changes in the repair industry, and how the new technologies and regulations aren’t just limited to vehicles.

“We didn’t have to do all the fire statements, OH&S, electrical testing and admin systems seventeen years ago,” Kirsti says.

“So much has changed in that time, so we had learned to work smarter not harder.”

The Payne’s implemented a time clock for their repairers which gives them the ability to track how long a job takes, so it is accurately reflected to the insurance company.

“All of these tools help with the challenges.”

The Paynes believe in getting their tightknit team involved in problem solving and the decision making process.

Support from the team is part of the success of apprentice retention and completion.

Training apprentices

With an industry wide strain for apprentices, Central Coast Smash Repairs has a healthy number of the next generation of panel beaters and painters.

“We go through a training service and they are really helpful to communicate with if we run into any issues,” Kirsti says.

“We’ve had guys who came to us for work experience also do their apprenticeship here. We enjoy having the young guys around.”

Ensuring that there are happy staff also coincides with having a

community-like feel in the workshop. Kirsti organises lunches, toolbox meetings and birthday cakes for the team.

“I try not to make the lunches at a certain time because then I feel the value goes away,” Kirsti says.

“All of them get a birthday cake and we sing happy birthday to them whether they like it or not.”

“We are very much a ‘you attract more bees with honey’ working environment. We never speak down to the team unless we need to pull someone into line.”

The Payne’s aim to lead the

workshop and their team by example.

“The team is like family, we treat them with respect,” Kirsti says. “If someone is sick, we can fill in for them, or if we are behind, Matt will get out of the office and wash cars himself.”

The Payne’s are looking forward to growing their motorbike business in 2025 and for future years to come.

“It would be a dream to get Big Boss into its own showroom, but for now we are focussing on more short-term goals,” Kirsti says.

“There’s always something to improve so we will keep streamlining the business as much as we can.”

Harrison Bowman is one of the recognised up-and-coming talents they have nurtured at Central Coast Smash Repairs.

Their love of motorbikes has led them to find a new avenue for business growth.

LA Awards

The highly anticipated NCR Lifetime Achievement Awards were another great success in 2025. The gala night was not only a convivial catch-up for industry leaders but a worthy celebration of some of the best in the industry.

Former AMA Group leader and industry pioneer Phil Munday took out the prestigious NCR Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 for his work over five decades, both within his business and the wider repair community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the industry’s most prestigious awards and celebrates those involved in the sector for more than 20 years who have made outstanding contributions to the industry.

Phil has had more than 50 years in the automotive industry. A true entrepreneur, he has built and led successful businesses from panel to motorsport.

Phil’s legacy includes building successful businesses, pioneering the PCM model and Repair Management Australia (RMA,).

He also developed a program for improving productivity within shops named OPS. Between 1996 and 2000 Phil was the co-founder and Chairman of the Victorian Accident Towing Association which was at the forefront of industry relationships and advocacy.

Phil was thrilled to accept the honour and says he was delighted to receive the accolade before a crowd of so many high-profile leaders in the industry.

“The industry has been fantastic. I’ve loved, and still love the panel industry and automotive industry,” he says.

“I’ve made some great mates and good friends and acquaintances along the way. It’s been a great experience.”

Phil amused the audience with stories from his past and some longgone practices from the 1970’s

“I opened my first panel shop when I was 19 and back then, as you know, you could do whatever you wanted,” he joked. “But by the 80s, they came in and they said, ‘this is progress, you can’t do that’, and we’d say; ‘But we’ve been doing that forever.’ That change was a bit of shock for the old school, but you know, you have to move on.”

Phil noted how far the industry had come and how important recruitment was for its future.

“The future of the industry is the young people that we get into the it,” he says. “How do we attract apprentices and retain them?”

For Phil, sharing what he has learnt with the industry has always been a big part of his role and as always, he likes to do that with a story or two.

“Having 31 grandkids, I feel like I have a bit of an idea about kids and how they think,” he says.

“I heard a story the other day. It was about a kid who goes into a panel shop to get a job. The boss says, ‘I will give you $10 an hour now and I’ll give you 15 bucks an hour in six months’. And the kid says, ‘I’ll be back in six months’”.

“So, understanding kids, in general is important. Today, it’s so different from when we were young. But I think today it’s our biggest issue, retaining apprentices to continue through the trade. And that’s why nights like this are so important, that recognise people in our industry.”

A long history of innovations and contributions Phil commenced his career more than five decades ago as an Apprentice Panel Beater at Lacey Panels in Burwood. At the age of only 19, he completed a fair trade of his Mazda 808 for a factory in Elsum Avenue, Bayswater North – it was 1977 and Phil’s journey as a repair entrepreneur had begun.

In 1992 Phil was one of the founding members of Panelcare, opening Panelcare Kilsyth and Phil Munday’s Panelcare, the first of a group of shops he owned and operated including RMA Dandenong, RMA Bayswater and

Phil has been renowned for the industry advice he has given, sometimes in the form of a funny anecdote or joke.

During this time, he remained committed to investing in local industry and developing modern world class facilities including a complete redevelopment of the Kilsyth workshop in 2005.

“Phil has always led by example. Over the years he invested time in each and every team member he employed,” the submission to the award judges read.

“He would visit most sites in Melbourne each week to check in on managers and see how the week was progressing. Phil would also walk the floor, checking in with each team member to see how things were going. Through this, Phil was able to make sure that each person in the team was working to the best of their capability and if they had potential to develop and move further. He has always taken time to offer business advice to people within the industry, or to anyone wanting to further themselves in their own business.”

Next Steps

In 2014, Phil sold his panel shops to AMA Group and then spent the next three years working with AMA Group acquiring further sites, including panel shops across Australia and even one in New Zealand.

His contributions have helped build the AMA Group to the business it is today with Kilsyth store still part of the Group within AMA Collision.

“Phil is a true pioneer of the collision repair industry in Australia,” AMA Group, , Managing Director Ray SmithRoberts says. “His impact and legacy across the collision repair industry, as

well as motorsport and the community more widely, is still felt today. I know many people in our industry who aspire to be like Phil.

“To this day, Phil is recognised and remembered for the input he has given Australia’s collision repair industry and his extensive contribution to motorsport and the community.”

Giving back

Phil has also demonstrated a long history of support for the wider industry to build skills and attract tradespeople, attending local schools promoting the trade and providing work experience placements.

Phil has also championed his local community as major sponsor of local sporting clubs, including basketball, cricket and football, along with an organisation supporting young mothers. From 2006 until 2010 Phil was Chairman of the Peter Brock Foundation, which had been established by Brock in 1997 to support individuals in crisis.

Lifelong passion

Throughout his extensive career, Phil has been heavily involved in and passionate about motorsport. In 2006 his friend, Peter Brock, raced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom in a 1953 Holden 48-215 (better known as an FX) that Phil had rebuilt. In 2012 Phil sponsored Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport with RMA branding, ultimately leading Phil to purchase Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport in 2017. Milwaukee Racing was founded with Will Davison as the driver for the next three years.

Repairing vehicles and restoring beauties is, and always will be, Phil’s passion. He is a collector of cars and has an extensive collection.

Exciting night

About one hundred and fifty peers and leaders from across the industry cheered the 2025 winner at a special gala night at the Glass House in Melbourne’s Sports and Events Precinct.

Phil edged out a range of high-profile and esteemed finalists that included Jason Trewin, chief operating officer for I-CAR Australia, Martin Dickinson, general manager of Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs in the AMA Group, Greg Tunks - MVP Business Solutions manager for Australia and New Zealand at ANZ at PPG, Bev Williams automotive industry placement coordinator at Kangan Institute and John Barry owner of Flagstaff Autobody in Kensington, Victoria.

Phil Munday will also join a highprofile list of inductees that represent the best in the collision repair industry over the last few decades who collectively represent thousands of years of experience and contributions.

Phil Munday’s Panel Works in Kilsyth.

Phil Munday celebrates with his wife after winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in Melbourne.

The AMA Group team were on hand on the night to help Phil celebrate. Images:

Growth and support LA Awards

Outstanding role model

As part of the exciting night in Melbourne, the 2025 Woman in Automotive Award was a muchanticipated recognition of some of the extraordinary contribbutions made by women in collision repair.

Fix Auto Mulgrave owner Lana Pagiamtzis was announced as the winner for the prestigious award, as an outstanding role model for the collision repair sector.

The Woman in Automotive Award, which joined the Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2024 seeks to honour a female professional in the industry who has been a promoter of positive change.

Recipients not only showcase their own contributions to diversity and inclusion but also exemplify the skill to inspire more women to embrace opportunities in the field.

Pioneering spirit

Lana, an early adopter of new ideas and technologies was one of the first members of the Fix Network’s operations in Australia.

After running the repair business as a sole owner, in 2016 Lana took the leap and flew to Canada to see how the network operated and was impressed by what she discovered.

the night was Cathy Mastrogiannoks who said while Lana came to collision repair through bookkeeping, once she fell in love with the industry there was no stopping her.

Receiving the award on her behalf on

“I’m so proud, because she’s not only my boss, but she’s my sister,” Cathy said. “I am super proud at what she has achieved in this industry and watching her dominate it in such a male-dominated industry. It’s truly an honour for her and she will be

hard work and passion she puts into everything she does.”

“Thank you also to NCR for putting on the amazing event that recognises and rewards the exceptional individuals within the collision industry.”

Lana has been a strong advocate for the ‘family culture’ within a workshop, one she found replicated in the Fix Network’s work’s culture.

Her capacity to develop and support employees as well as focus on a culture of continual improvement and quality customer outcomes has been core to her success.

Her decision to join the Fix Network, has provided her with invaluable support in managing daily operations, liaising with insurers, and staying current with industry trends.

Lana Pagiamtzis won the top prize over a prestigious line-up of finalists who qualified for the Woman in Automotive Award including Colette Kirby – Logicar, Andrea McCarthy - McCarthy Panel Works, Hiliary Bradbury - Australian Collision Industry Alliance, Chantel Griezans - ADAS Solutions and Siobhan McDonald - Premium Diagnostics.

(See Lana’s full profile in this edition of NCR; Women in Repair, page 28.)

Cathy Mastrogiannoks with Fix Network Head of Business Scott Croaker celebrate the award.

Cathy Mastrogiannoks was proud to receive the award on behalf of her sister.

To the next level

Resilience and dedication

They represented six outstanding examples of the next generation of repair industry workers but there could only be one winner.

Maxine Colligan from Wallaby Crash Supplies has taken took out the prize for the Next Generation Leader Award.

The Next Generation Leader Award promotes the younger generation of auto repair specialists rising in the ranks and presenting new role models for a future industry. The award recognises an individual who has impressed their colleagues and counterparts with their contribution

and impact to their organisation, with excellence in service and commitment to the wider industry.

Maxine Colligan is an accomplished spray painter and has set a precedent for women in the automotive repair industry, both in her work on the workshop floor and in international competition.

Receiving the award on her behalf, Hiliary Bradbury from the ACIA said it was thrilling to see such depth of talent among the young people who were the finalists for the Next Generation Award but Maxine was a standout and a worthy winner.

“Unfortunately, Maxine couldn’t be with us tonight, but she’d like to thank those who have nominated her for the support,” Hiliary said.

“She feels such a privilege to be part of such a large community of talented individuals and young people who are striving to achieve and would like to thank everyone.”

From struggling for seven months to find a workshop to take her on for work experience, to winning international awards for spray painting a few years later, and now the Next Generation award, Maxine has established herself as great role model for young females in the industry.

She completed her apprenticeship at TAFE NSW under the guidance of industry legend Carl Tinsley and went on to win multiple international awards, including medals at the WorldSkills competition in 2019 in Russia.

“People in my life were sceptical about me joining the industry at first. When I told them I wanted to do a spray-painting apprenticeship, they looked at me like I’d grown a second head,” Maxine told NCR at the time.

“People would ask why, and I would turn around and say; why not. Little did they know the opportunities that it would bring; the medals, and overseas trips, it’s been great.”

Maxine later expanded her skills into sales and now works at Wallaby Crash Supplies in New South Wales. Maxine is passionate about mentoring women in the trade, advocating for greater representation and support for females in male-dominated fields like collision repair.

Another industry leader and female pioneer, Hiliary Bradbury accepted the award on her behalf at the Melbourne gala awards event.

This year the Next Generation Leader Award represented a cross section of different parts of the collision repair industry and ages, all with committment and passion in common. The young outstanding talent listed among the finalists included; Ryan Glanville – TruckParts, Ali Rezaie - Kangan Institute, Joshua Coats - The Sheen Group, Jack WestBocchino Motors and Isabella Turrisse - Schmick Scratch and Dent Assist.

A gifted and dedicated spray painter who has competed overseas, Maxine Colligan is forging a future career in the repair industry.

The ACIA’s Hilliary Bradbury receives the award on Maine’s behalf.

LA Awards

The gala night in Melbourne was enjoyed by a who’s who of collision repair.

Images: PCM

Leading coatings company, PPG is one of the repair industry’s most important suppliers in Australia and across the globe. Its commitment to innovation in its products has led to new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency in the workshop. It is also a leader in collision business services and training.

Proudly Supported by:

Leading global company, 3M is a producer committed to providing solutions for the diverse industries it serves and supplies with a multitude of trusted products. In automotive, it has almost 100 years of industry experience in developing the sector, including its role in helping to revolutionise the painting and finishing process.

PartsCheck is a ground-breaking company offering software and systems to help solve workshop challenges around parts ordering. PartsCheck’s utilisation of data and digital solutions can streamline the entire repair lifecycle, adding to workshop efficiency, improving profitability and reducing waste.

Saint-Gobain has an amazing 360year history beginning in glass manufacturing in France. It has gone on to draw on this past to become a global leader in sustainability and producing innovative products for a host of industries. For automotive repair, it provides Australia with some of its most trusted brands that continue to innovate to deliver quality and efficiency.

The Sheen Group is a major part of the collision repair industry in Victoria and has been getting customers back on the road since 1969. Its 27 locations across Melbourne and regional locations are staffed by skilled technicians and award-winning apprentices, all dedicated to quality repairs.

Association Partners:

Women in Repair

In her own way

Collision repair is full of intriguing and diverse career journeys – and Fix Auto Mulgrave owner Lana Pagiamtzis is one of them.

Over nearly a decade with Fix Auto, Lana has grown from an independent operator into a respected leader in the network. This month, she marks a new milestone with the launch of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East, expanding her service offering under the Fix Network banner. Here, Lana shares her journey and the teamwork that made it all possible.

Before joining Fix Auto, Lana Pagiamtzis was running her own independent collision repair shop, managing the business solo. In 2016, she took a bold step – travelling across the globe to visit Fix Network Head Office in Canada, where the network operates more than 250 Fix Auto franchise locations.

What Lana discovered was a gamechanger: a streamlined, collaborative network that demonstrated just how much more her business could achieve with the right support. Energised by the experience, she made the leap –and almost a decade later, she remains a proud part of the Fix Auto family and has not looked back.

“Watching the collision repair business grow into what it is today from five employees to 30 has been a great achievement to reflect on,” Lana says.

Now, the opening of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East marks another milestone in her journey, and a culmination of years of hard work and continuous development.

Part of this career success has been a continuing focus on improving her business and personal development, resulting in her being honoured with the 2025 Women in Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is a testament to her dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the industry.

“Lana’s journey is a powerful example of how entrepreneurial spirit – driven by vision, determination, and a willingness to embrace change – can transform into a thriving business. Built on innovation, strategic thinking,

courageous decision-making, strong partnerships, and perseverance, her success stands out.”

“While stories like Lana’s are becoming more common across the Fix Auto Network as our Franchisees continue to grow and innovate, her achievements are truly worth celebrating, we look forward to supporting her growth and expansion into the future.” says Scott Croaker, Head of Business, Fix Network Australia.

repair industry worked took a while to grasp,” Lana says.

Before stepping into the repair industry, Lana pursued a degree in business management and marketing at university.

“It is with great honour and privilege that I accept the 2025 Women in Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition truly embodies the commitment, resilience, and personal sacrifices I have undertaken over the past nine years, and it is profoundly gratifying to receive such acknowledgment from my peers in the industry”, says Lana.

“My own personal development in the industry has been both unexpected and rewarding,” she continued. “Being recognised through industry awards not only offers a moment to reflect on the journey but also reinforces the value of hard work and dedication. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see those efforts acknowledged in such a meaningful way.”

“Working alongside my business partner, Fix Auto really stands out as something that I want to remember,” Lana added. “They have been so supportive since the beginning, taking the leap of faith in joining them instead of remaining on my own as an independent repairer.”

Unexpected journey

Lana’s success at Fix Auto Mulgrave is the result of years of perseverance, having navigated and overcome numerous challenges throughout her career.

“In the beginning, the biggest challenge was coming from a totally different industry. Learning to adapt and understand how the collision

“I got a job in a business and worked for the following 10 years for a company that imported Greek wines and spirits.”

“I was the office manager there, and my job was to run the administration and bookkeeping side of the business,” she explained.

But, even if this seems a long way from collision repair, Lana was already using what she learnt to develop her business skills. An early manifestation of this was in personal training, where she completed a Cert 4 and taught group fitness classes. However, life’s unexpected twists ultimately led her to an industry she is passionate about, which, in turn, became a major gain for the collision repair sector.

“After starting a young family, I was working part time alongside my ex-husband in the collision repair industry as a bookkeeper and doing general office admin. When we went our separate ways, I decided to retain a small share in this business with a few other partners. After a while, the partners decided they wanted to remove themselves from the business, and that is when I decided to stay on and run it myself.”

“When I took over the business, there were only five employees at the time, and no work providers. It was a very tough time to navigate.”

Moving from an administrative role to the leader of a workshop, Lana faced new challenges.

“Finding a new rhythm and

Lana Pagiamtzis was one of the first to join the Fix Network in Australia and has not looked back since, including winning NCR’s Woman in Automotive award in 2025.

being responsible for the running of the business overall was a big task to adjust to.”

“When I first became director, my employees had to adjust to having me as their female boss. After decades of having to report to a male boss, it was a challenging change in such a predominantly male industry.”

Growth and operations

Once again, it was Lana’s leadership, business acumen, and the support of Fix Network that helped transform her growing love for the repair industry into a true success story.

“Creating and managing a family environment for all my employees to work in is incredibly rewarding,” Lana says.

“It’s also rewarding knowing that the relationships I have built with employees are strong and reputable. Seeing our customers satisfied and happy with our work is priceless. We always want to be producing the highest quality of work.”

Her dedication to fostering a supportive culture, alongside her ability to lead through change, has shaped the workplace and the outcomes her team delivers.

“It is really empowering to see how the industry has evolved as well,” she adds. “It has really embraced women, and it’s so satisfying to see that very welcome change.”

Some of the most important lessons Lana has learned over the years come down to facing challenges head-on, embracing support networks, and staying open to change.

“I’ve learned that you can’t do it all on your own, and it’s okay to admit when you need guidance,” she reflects.

“Having a great team by your side makes all the difference. I ensure that we constantly educate one another and better ourselves in the process.”

Busier and busier

Lana’s day-to-day can vary, but while staff and operations follow a busy schedule, she makes it a priority to foster the family-oriented spirit that is a hallmark of the Fix Auto Network’s business model. She ensures this spirit remains central to ongoing operational improvements.

“A typical day for me is to oversee everything that is happening,” Lana says. “I do a quick walkthrough of both sites every day to say hello to each and every employee. I touch base with the managers for updates and reports and check to see if I can assist in any way.”

“I deal with any issues that need my urgent attention, and I am always scouring for ways to improve the business and increase efficiencies.”

Lana understands the importance of balance and is dedicated to keeping up her old love of physical fitness, time for family and friends, along with a range of hobbies that includes music, travelling, cooking, dancing, AFL football and Formula 1.

A growing future

With the expansion and new collaborations underway Lana is not planning on slowing down anytime soon. Lana keeps pushing forward with the exciting new opening of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East.

“After a few years of planning and organising, I have just joined the NOVUS Glass franchise,” Lana says. “It is a very exciting time, and we are happy to join the team.”

Jack Parkinson, General Manager of NOVUS Glass Australia, says, “Having seen Lana’s growth and dedication throughout her time with Fix Auto, I’m thrilled to see her bring that same passion and drive to the NOVUS business. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together and look

to expand her business reach while staying firmly rooted in the industry. The addition of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East complements the services she offers at Fix Auto Collision, allowing her to provide a broader range of solutions to the local community.

“I’m excited for the new challenge,” Lana adds - ready to tackle whatever comes next in the ever-evolving world of automotive.

Lana is deeply passionate about mentoring, particularly when it comes to empowering women in an industry, and she’s driven to create opportunities for others to rise alongside her. She is especially proud to be partnering with her sister, Cathy Mastrogiannakos – not just as a business partner, but as a mentor –guiding her through the automotive world and helping her carve out her own place in this evolving industry. Together, they’re proving that, with drive, passion, hard work, and network support, there are no limits to what women can achieve in the industry.

Images: Fix Auto

Lana fosters a family environment at Fix Auto Mulgrave where her team thrives and grows with unwavering support.

Lana and Cathy highlight the dual-brand presence of NOVUS Glass and Fix Auto.

Better plastic standards

The increasing rate of plastic involved in collision repairs and the need for standardised techniques and standards has led to the formation of a new global partnership.

Australia will be represented on the 15-person council by John Morrissey from Plastfix, that also includes major global players like 3M , PPG, AksoNobel, SEM and Mirka.

Plasnomic, a global plastic repair initiative has formed the Plastic Repair Alliance Council from major repair suppliers, advocates and bodyshop chains and wants uniform repair processes and certification to develop high global repair standards.

It has six members from the US but also has representatives from the EAE, EU, Turkey, India, Japan and South Africa.

“As plastic components such as bumpers, headlights and trims become the most frequently replaced parts in modern vehicles—and current repair volumes represent only a fraction of what can be repaired—the lack of consistent global standards presents both a safety and cost challenge,” says founding council member Kurt Lammon who is also president of Polyvance.

Plasnomic CEO Brian Driehorst says the group will be identifying best practices supporting globally unified training and certification programs and identifying specialised tools, materials and repair methods.

It will also work to review testing and benchmarking OEM compatibility and repair safety, and collaborating in reducing plastic waste.

“It reflects a unified commitment across stakeholders to set aside differences and work collaboratively to elevate repair standards worldwide,” Driehorst says.

“These carefully selected individuals bring a wealth of industry, specialty and regional expertise to support a multilayered approach to communication, education and curriculum development,” Driehorst says . “Their collective insight will help shape the training programs offered to the broader industry and promote a deep understanding of plastic repair processes and best practices.”

The council will next nominate a council leader to coordinate efforts and collaborate closely with members in their respective regions and areas of expertise.

Our business is building your business.

Where apprentices shine

Apprentices are a crucial part of the future of the repair industry. Keeping them to ensure they flourish as qualified technicians is critical to their success. The Sheen Group, one of Victoria’s largest MSOs, has a program that delivers outstanding retention rates and results by developing the culture early.

Sheen Panel Service believes that “people are their greatest asset.” From experienced technicians to frontline customer service, every team member plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality smash repairs and maintaining the reputation they’ve built over the decades. Among these team members, one group holds particular importance for the future of the industry: apprentices.

Learning the Sheen mentality and methodology from the ground up, their apprentices absorb industry-best practices while working alongside seasoned professionals. This blend of hands-on training and formal education ensures they are well-equipped to meet the demands of modern vehicle repair - now and into the future.

Sheen understands the reality of automotive trades, with fewer young people entering vocational training, and many experienced technicians nearing retirement age the industry is facing a skills shortage across Australia. Sheen knows this is something businesses need to tackle head on. Investing in apprentices not only for their benefit but for the survival of the industry.

Commitment to apprentices goes

beyond technical instruction and Sheen are experts in paving the path with their apprentice program. They provide mentorship, financial assistance, career development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.

Sheen Group Managing Director Adam Stone says they are proud their focus continues to be strong on people and growth.

“We want our apprentices to thrive so they can build rewarding careers with us.” Adam says.

“Many of our apprentices go on to become senior technicians, workshop managers, or even business leaders within the Sheen network. Their journey starts with a trade, but it can lead anywhere.”

One of the great examples Sheen is proud to highlight, is award winning apprentice Josh Coates.

Josh Coates, a third-year automotive repair apprentice based at Sheen Bayswater, was announced as a finalist for the National Collision Repairer Next Generation Leader award.

“Josh has something you can’t teach, drive. He wants to do well – and clearly, he is,” Sheen Group Apprentice Manager Tony Todaro says.

His managers and mentors agree that Josh is a dedicated young man whose future has enormous potential in the industry.

Previously awarded the Sheen Apprentice of the Year 2024, Josh also recently won Gold at the WorldSkills regional finals.

Sheen Bayswater manager Bryan Faulkner says he is a valued member of the team at their workshop, where he feels the shop “has been spoilt” because apprentices like Josh are so rare.

For Josh, he attributes his success to his experience with Sheen.

“I’ve been supported every step of the way,” Josh says.

“Sheen have given me opportunities I didn’t even know were possible,

but I am mostly grateful for my team. I wouldn’t know half of my trade if it was not for the others in the shop at Bayswater.”

He is now looking forward to being a fully qualified panel technician.

For the Sheen Panel Service, apprentices aren’t just part of the team - they’re the future of it. Supporting them is not just good business; it is responsible as industry leaders. They’re not just repairing cars - they’re building careers, shaping futures, and driving the automotive trade forward.

Sheen Panel Service is always on the lookout for apprentices and with 27 locations throughout Victoria they have the capacity and the ability to kickstart automotive careers. Want to learn more? Go to Sheengroup.com. au/careers/apprenticeships

Images: Sheen Group

Josh Coates, a finalist in the NCR Next Generation Leader award along with a host of other awards, is a shining example of how drive and support can help shape skills development.

Josh is one of the valuable apprentices working across Sheen Panel Service’s 27 outlets.

Giving it more than a go

Sometimes a career in collision repair is the last thing on a young student’s mind, but the right people sowing the seeds and encouraging apprentices like Lily Welsh on the way, can make a world of difference.

Before she embarked on her apprenticeship, Lily Welsh found herself working in the somewhat distant world of agricultural business, packing pineapples in a big shed. It was then the opportunity to indulge her artistic drive opened.

“I literally had no idea what spray painting was all about,” she says. “I thought that you just swing a gun down basically. I had no idea about all the prep work and colour matching.

“But I did see some videos on YouTube and I thought that looked pretty cool. Then my brother-in law Jordan, who is a panel beater, asked me a couple times if I wanted to have a go in a shop. The first time I turned him down, but then the second time he asked me, I went ahead and did a trial day.”

She recalls being extremely nervous as she took the step into the workshop but the head spray painter, Leah took her in hand and guided her, even if most of what she did on that first day was prep work.

she’s also been like a coach and sort of a ‘work mum’.

“I didn’t actually get my hands on a gun,” Lily says. “It was probably still months down track before I got my hands on one, but I did get to watch Leah painting and I got something of an idea of what it was like. It really intrigued me watching her paint.”

From this first taste, Lily then launched into the commitment of an apprenticeship at Advanced Auto Accident Repair Centre. She says key to this was having Leah encouragement along each step of the way.

“Leah’s been so encouraging,” she

“I was really, really nervous when I first picked up the gun but now it’s just like second nature.

“It’s really exciting to have my own booth and then pick up the gun and do what I do.”

Lily recognises the journey is a continual, sometimes steep learning curve but is thrilled that the apprenticeship has given her the opportunity to develop practical skills and a career in an area of her talents she had always enjoyed.

“In school, I was in art and painted and did all that jazz, but in my own time at home, I did some colouring and

had a little bit of a creative bone in me.”

This has led, she says, to a growing strength in the complex area of colour matching. But she recognises it is an ever-evolving part of the trade.

“There’s quite a few colours that I’m still not 100 per cent with, like all the machine greys and the salt reds. I’ve still got a bit of learning to get through the day.”

Lily talks about the satisfaction in being part of a team that can deliver crashed vehicles back to their owners in pristine condition.

“It’s been great to see the car come into the workshop, being repaired, and then primed, and then it’s up to you to make it look pretty again. Seeing

NCR recognises the ongoing support of IAG for the Future Leader’s series and their continued support in developing industry skills.

all those processes, and then to finally see the finished result is such a good feeling.”

She is also aware that the commitment to excellent results resonates with those customers who are particularly proud of their cars.

“I’ve had a few high-end jobs,” she says. “There was a Bentley and a Maserati. The Bentley was only a small job, but I was still very happy with it. The Maserati was a full side and a door jamb and the way it came up, I was thrilled about that.”

Lily is also acutely aware that no one is perfect or walks into a workshop knowing everything, so learning from mistakes is equally important part of developing.

“I’ve had a few mishaps,” she says. “The first time I ever had a mishap was in my view, a bad one.

“I had just finished a job the day before, and I was just buffing spots on it, and the customer had come in to have a look at the car. And once I was finished buffing it, I had to move it between two poles into the washbay. Well, I didn’t see one of the poles and right while the customer was standing there watching, I hit one of the poles. At the time, I was so scared, I just walked off crying.”

The damage did not turn out to be too significant and only required a replacement light, but the mortifying incident taught her a few things about herself. She also recognises from this incident, and so often during her development, that having a supportive workplace is so important.

“They are like my other family.”

This support extends to being female in what was once a male dominated industry. While she has encountered one or two people over her journey who question her presence in the workshop, she no longer lets that anger her and prefers to let her work do the talking.

Lily also has the same advice for younger people who are wondering what they will do in their careers or being encouraged to go to university when it may not be what they most love or are suited to. She encourages them to be adventurous and follow their loves.

“If they really wanted to give it a try, and even if they weren’t sure about it, I would say; ‘just go for it’,” she says.

“After the trial day, if they don’t like it, there is also a three-month

electrician and then as a carpenter’s give it a go.”

Lily has enjoyed the ongoing support of her mentor Leah.

Skills are the competitive edge

Australia’s industry leading trainer, I-CAR takes a look at why a skilled team in the workshop is a business’ best competitive edge and the data that backs this up.

The automotive repair landscape is being reshaped by rapid advancements in technology.

With electric vehicles (EVs), ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), aluminium and carbon fibre panels, and tighter OEM repair standards, today’s bodyshops are operating in an environment where the margin for error is razor thin.

In this high-stakes setting, the difference between success and stagnation often comes down to one thing: a well-trained, futureready team. And while the value of training might feel intuitive, the commercial benefits are measurable — and significant.

The cost of an untrained team

Let’s begin with what happens when you don’t train your staff. Studies conducted by I-CAR and industry benchmarking bodies show that:

• Untrained technicians are 50 per cent more likely to produce incomplete or incorrect repairs (I-CAR, 2023), leading to rework, delays, and customer complaints.

• Shops without formal training programs experience up to 30 per cent longer cycle times and 25 per cent more rework (CCC Trends, 2024).

• Incorrect repairs can increase claim costs by up to $1,000 per vehicle on average due to supplementary

damage or additional parts and labour (Mitchell Industry Trends Report, 2023).

These are not just operational inefficiencies — they’re commercial risks that eat directly into your profit margin and customer retention.

The business case for upskilling

On the flip side, the data supporting structured training programs is compelling:

• I -CAR Gold Class shops see a 14 per cent improvement in cycle time and a 34 per cent reduction in rework compared to non-Gold Class repairers

Risks associated with having an unskilled team can mean higher rework costs, delays and slower cycle times.

(I-CAR Impact Report, 2022).

• Shops investing in technician development report a 20–25 per cent higher customer satisfaction index (CSI), improving word-ofmouth referrals and repeat business.

• Training boosts staff confidence and performance — resulting in lower turnover rates (up to 40 per cent improvement), which reduces the cost of recruitment and onboarding. This all translates into stronger financial performance. Consider this: if training helps reduce rework by just 10 per cent in a shop processing 800 jobs a year, that’s potentially 80 fewer reworks — each saving an average of four labour hours and $500 in parts/ labour wastage. That’s a $40,000–$50,000 annual gain — from just one metric.

Commercial growth opportunities from a skilled team

Training also unlocks new revenue streams and strategic opportunities:

1. OEM certifications

Many automakers now require formal technician training to access repair procedures, parts, and branding. A skilled team positions your shop to qualify for:

• Manufacturer-certified collision networks.

• Direct referrals from dealerships.

• Access to restricted structural components or structural parts (especially for EVs and luxury vehicles).

2. Insurer preferred networks Insurance partners increasingly favour repairers who can demonstrate consistent quality, safety compliance, and fast turnaround. Training is key to:

• Meeting KPIs for performancebased agreements.

• Reducing claim costs and increasing your shop’s value in DRP networks.

• Minimising supplemental claims and disputes.

3. E V and ADAS Services

EV repairs and ADAS calibration are specialist services requiring certified knowledge and equipment. Training enables you to:

• Enter high-value, lowcompetition markets.

• Command higher margins for complex repairs.

• Future-proof your operations as vehicle technology evolves.

Internal benefits that boost long-term value

Beyond commercial wins, training helps drive internal performance:

• Team productivity: Trained technicians work faster and more independently, reducing supervisory strain and allowing for better workload management.

• Culture and engagement: Ongoing development builds a culture of improvement, pride, and shared standards. Teams with access to learning are two

times more likely to report high job satisfaction (LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 2023).

• Talent retention: Offering clear training pathways keeps top talent in-house. Replacing a skilled technician can cost up to 150 per cent of their salary — training significantly lowers this risk.

Measuring the ROI of training

To evaluate the effectiveness of your training investment, start by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs):

METRIC BEFORE TRAININGAFTER TRAININGCHANGE

You can also use:

These are benchmark averages from I-CAR and Collision Advice studies.

• Training completion metrics (e.g. per cent of team with I-CAR Platinum status).

• Certification milestones (e.g. OEM approvals obtained).

• Q ualitative feedback from staff on confidence, safety, and

job satisfaction. Together, these provide a clear and powerful picture of ROI — from both a financial and cultural standpoint.

The final word Training isn’t a cost — it’s a competitive weapon.

Window on Safety

with Steven Theron

A missed opportunity

The adoption of Australian Standard AS 4739-2017 left some critical safety gaps in potential collisions that could have serious consequences.

A hidden danger on Australian roads lies in the potential for replacement windscreens to compromise vehicle safety, a concern first highlighted in the 2016 Australasian Road Safety Conference paper “Replacement Windscreens – a serious vehicle and road safety issue.”

Ongoing analysis reveals that the current standard still has critical shortcomings, particularly concerning the standards for the aftermarket glass installation process. These deficiencies create a situation where vehicles may be returned to the road with a windscreen replacement that does not meet the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM’s) designed safety standards. This situation creates a potential risk that the vehicle’s insurability may be compromised. Furthermore, its roadworthiness may be affected if the replacement does not adhere to the OEM’s designed safety standards.

The 2016 conference paper highlighted that the earlier AS 47392002 standard, while stipulating a return to OEM standards, failed to specify adhesive characteristics. This allowed for the use of aftermarket adhesives that do not provide the same level of structural bonding performance as those used by OEMs. AS 4739-2017’s failure to rectify this issue has serious consequences: the use of non-OEM equivalent adhesives directly compromises vehicle safety and, fundamentally, the roadworthiness of the vehicle.

AS 4739-2017’s Section 5, “DIRECT GLAZING ADHESIVE SEALANT SYSTEMS,” is particularly

problematic. Section 5.1(a) states that an adhesive sealant “shall meet vehicle manufacturers performance specifications,” it introduces an “OR” clause: “OR be a direct glazing adhesive sealant specifically engineered for the fixing of direct glazed automotive safety glass for light vehicles.” This “OR” clause allows the use of adhesive sealants that, while designed for windscreens, may not meet the specific performance criteria of the OEM.

The implications of this are significant. Modern vehicles rely on the windscreen as a crucial structural component. It contributes to roof crush resistance and ensures proper airbag deployment. If a replacement windscreen is installed with an adhesive sealant that does not meet OEM specifications, these safety features may be compromised. In a collision, this could lead to

catastrophic consequences.

Furthermore, many modern vehicles feature advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) with cameras and sensors mounted on the windscreen. Using windscreens and adhesives that do not meet OEM specifications may result in these systems not being properly calibrated, impairing their functionality and further compromising safety. The correct positioning and bonding of the windscreen are critical for the accurate operation of ADAS features like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Section 5.1(b) of the standard which states the adhesive sealant shall “meet or exceed the frontal impact test requirements of FMVSS 212 to establish safe drive away times,” exacerbates the problem. Many insurance companies

A summary table illustrating current adhesives in the Australian market compares to the key requirements of 5 major European OEM’s. (Data from Henkel Teroson)

and industry personnel are under the impression that because the adhesive sealant has passed FMVSS 212, it meets Australian Standards and is therefore fit for purpose. While FMVSS 212 is relevant for determining the minimum safe drive-away time, it does not guarantee that the replacement returns the vehicle to OEM specifications for overall structural integrity as FMVSS 212 merely tests windscreen retention in a crash. There is no reference to returning the vehicle back to the OEM’s original design specifications.

Aftermarket adhesives failing OEM standards

The concerns surrounding the lack of specific OEM adhesive requirements in AS 4739-2017 are substantiated by findings presented at the 2016 Australasian Road Safety Conference. The paper “Replacement Windscreens – a serious vehicle and road safety issue” included data from Henkel Teroson, a leading adhesive manufacturer, which starkly illustrated the disparity between current aftermarket products in Australia and the specifications of major European OEMs. Table 1 revealed that several readily available direct glazing adhesives in the Australian market failed to meet the Shear Modulus (DIN EN 14869-2) and Tensile Strength (DIN EN 53504) specifications set by major European OEMs. This independent analysis underscores the inherent risk in allowing the use of adhesives that are not explicitly proven to meet the stringent structural demands defined by vehicle manufacturers. The fact that commonly available products do not measure up to established OEM standards further emphasizes the urgent need for a more robust and specific Australian standard.

Liability and lack of explicit requirements

A significant concern with AS 47392017 is the lack of explicit liability assigned for the use of adhesive sealants that do not meet OEM specific performance criteria. While AS 4739-2017 Section 5.1(a) offers a note stating, “If unable to obtain a suitable direct glazing adhesive sealant that is endorsed by the vehicle manufacturer [OEM approved] consultation with the direct glazing adhesive sealant supplier is recommended,” this provides only guidance, not a mandatory

requirement for OEM compliance. This contrasts sharply with the American Standard ANSI/AGSC/ AGRSS 005-2022, which takes a stronger stance on liability. ANSI/ AGSC/AGRSS 005-2022 Section 5.3 mandates that “Those engaged in automotive glass replacement must use either an OEM approved retention system, or an equivalent retention system as certified in writing by the equivalent retention system manufacturer directly or through a private labeller.” This requirement places a clear responsibility on the installer to use an appropriate system, with a mechanism for verification.

Under AS 4739-2017, adhesive sealant suppliers could just tell say that their products are “fit for purpose,” and consequently bear no formal liability tied to a written commitment, leaving installers and insurers with limited means to ascertain true OEM equivalence. This ambiguity can create a liability gap, potentially jeopardizing vehicle safety and complicating legal recourse in the event of failures.

Insurance ramifications

The core tenet of vehicle insurance is the restoration of a damaged vehicle to its pre-accident condition, a process that necessitates strict adherence to OEM standards, particularly for safetycritical elements such as windscreen fitment. A critical assumption held by insurance providers is that their contracted windscreen replacement companies utilise OEM compliant adhesive sealants as these meet Australian Standards. Conversely, windscreen fitters often operate under the belief that their use of adhesive sealants meeting FMVSS 212 standards for windscreen retention inherently satisfies OEM standards.

However, a significant liability arises if a non-compliant adhesive sealant is identified as a contributing factor to the severity of an accident or the malfunction of crucial safety systems. This discrepancy immediately raises fundamental questions regarding:

• Insurability: Was the vehicle, in its post-repair state deviating from OEM standards, actually insurable from the outset?

• Roadworthiness: Should a vehicle repaired with non-compliant materials have been permitted to return to Australian roads?

• Liability: In the event of an accident

and resulting injuries where the failure of a vehicle safety system is linked to an incorrect fitment, who bears the ultimate responsibility, the adhesive supplier, the insurance company or the windscreen fitter? This situation underscores a potential disconnect between insurance industry assumptions, fitter practices, and the paramount importance of adhering to OEM standards for vehicle safety and regulatory compliance.

Recommendations for change

To address these critical flaws, AS 4739-2017 requires urgent revision. Section 5.1(a) must be amended to prioritize OEM specifications and eliminate the dangerous “OR” clause. The NOTES section must state that the adhesive sealant supplier must certify in writing that the product meets or exceeds the OEM’s specific performance criteria. This ensures accountability, verification, and liability.

Conclusion

AS 4739-2017 represents an effort by the working group to update the previous standard, and their work is acknowledged. However, in its current form, it still presents a risk to Australian motorists. By allowing the use of windscreen adhesive sealants that do not meet OEM safety performance standards, it compromises vehicle safety, potentially affects insurability and warranty, jeopardizes roadworthiness, and it risks the proper functioning of critical ADAS systems. The independent findings from Henkel Teroson underscore the prevalence of aftermarket adhesives that fail to meet established OEM specifications, highlighting the urgent need for a more robust standard. While the update to AS 4739 -2002 was a step forward, a further, more comprehensive revision is a crucial missed opportunity that must be addressed to truly ensure the safety and integrity of windscreen replacements in Australia.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional guidance concerning the use, application, or suitability of our products. All decisions regarding product use and application should be made in consultation with a qualified professional.

Natural next steps

While Melbourne has seen its first dual site, other new NOVUS Glass members have also joined, bringing valuable experience and service.

Townsville and Tamworth are the latest franchisees to join the growing network of NOVUS Glass sharing new skills from existing businesses.

For Barry and Dayna in Townsville, the NOVUS Glass operation is a natural extension of their established window tinting business and this made transitioning easy. Barry has a lifetime of hands-on experience in automotive, in mechanical and general repairs, while Dayna is embracing the customer service and administrative aspects of the business.

The comprehensive training and support from NOVUS have given them the tools and knowledge to run a successful business while expanding their service offerings to the Townsville community.

“The brand’s reputation for

Anne, and Rolan — bring extensive automotive experience, strong community connections, and a passion for delivering top-quality service to their local area.

Oscar is a fully qualified windscreen

seamless step forward in their growth journey, allowing them to offer an even broader range of automotive services to the region.

Jack Parkinson, General Manager of NOVUS Glass Australia, says it is

Images: NOVUS Glass

Barry and Dayna from Townsville are some of the newest members of the NOVUS Glass network.

Oscar, Mary Anne and Rolan have added to the services they can offer for the Tamworth community by joining the NOVUS Glass network.

AASRA takes a glimpse into the future

The Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority visited the recent Melbourne Motor Show which has long been a cornerstone of Australia’s automotive culture and which returned after a 15-year absence.

Recapturing the hearts and imaginations of car enthusiasts in an environment where passion for vehicles transcends mere transportation, the show was a celebration of engineering artistry and design excellence.

AASRA executive officer Joe McFadries noted that one of the defining features of this year’s show was its emphasis on showcasing technological advancements, with many global leaders taking centre stage. Brands such as Tesla, Porsche, McLaren and Brabus, all focused on the enhanced driver experience, while industry stalwarts such as Kia, Subaru and Isuzu all highlighted some of their latest models, including Kia’s muchanticipated Tasman ute.

“However, even to the untrained eye, two trends really stood out,” McFadries says.

“Firstly, the focus on electric

vehicles illustrated how accessible this technology has become and how much it is being embraced across Australia. The manufacturers’ realignment of their portfolios has never been more evident, and the impact was striking as they came together under the one roof.

“And secondly, the plethora of new and recently arrived Chinese brands is undoubtedly a reflection of the demand Australia has for high technology, luxurious appointments at price points that are within reach of the mass market. The quality of finish was simply stunning, and this was never more evident than the offerings from the brands that have recently joined AASRA, Deepal and Geely.”

Deepal’s SO7 combines futuristic

design elements with advanced technology to create a stylish, enjoyable and comfortable rearwheel drive mid-sized electric SUV. Geely unveiled its all new EX5 to the Melbourne audience, an electric SUV built for comfort, technology, and efficiency. AASRA is proud to have both Deepal and Geely, and more recently Omoda-Jaecoo, join its growing network of participating brands, which provides access to service and repair information for 87 percent of the Australian car parc.

“Looking ahead, the rapidly changing automotive landscape will require technicians to invest in their own personal development as they take advantage of the online accessibility of repair procedures and diagnostic information.

“Whatever the future holds,” McFadries says. “Today’s collision repair technicians can be confident that AASRA will be with them every step of the way.

For more information, contact AASRA on 1300 222 772, or visit: www.aasra.com.au

Tax scrapping could improve car parc

Major automotive bodies are welcoming a proposal that could see cheaper European cars help shape the future car parc in Australia but also broaden the quality and safety of cars.

The federal government is considering axing the Luxury Car Tax as part of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union. The 33 per cent tax hits vehicles above the thresholds of $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles and $80,567 for other vehicles.

The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) and the state-based motoring association have long lobbied against what they consider an anachronistic tax originally designed to protect major Australian car manufacturing, that ended in 2017.

MTAA Interim Executive Director Rod Camm described the tax as outdated and inefficient, unfairly impacting many Australian

motorists and businesses.

“Its removal would help reduce vehicle costs for consumers whilst supporting thousands of automotive businesses across the country during a critical period of industry transformation.”

The MTAA argues the reduction would increase accessibility of newer, safer, and more environmentally friendly vehicles, expanding consumer choice and retail opportunities This in turn would lead to expanded opportunities for employment in the service, repair, and parts sectors.

“The potential removal of this tax represents a significant opportunity to modernise Australia’s automotive taxation framework at a time when our industry is undergoing unprecedented technological and structural change,” Camm says.

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Jones says

the boost could be critical as the wider automotive industry adjusts to a major transition.

“Its abolition would substantially decrease vehicle acquisition costs while bolstering Victoria’s 5,000-plus automotive enterprises during this crucial industry evolution phase,” Jones says.

“Removing this tax presents a pivotal opportunity to reform Australia’s automotive taxation structure. It’s time for our taxation system to reflect current market realities rather than continuing to burden consumers with a tax that was designed to protect an industry that no longer exists in Australia.”

The automotive bodies intend to continue negotiations with the federal government with a particular emphasis on electric mobility adoption and charging infrastructure development.

Image: AASRA

Eyes on NVES evolution

The Australian automotive industry will continue to keep a close eye on the NVES and how it changes the future car parc, following the May election.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has remained committed to the milestone policy, aimed at reducing the emissions from new vehicles.

Penalties for OEM’s will begin on July 1, based on the overall emissions of a manufacturers fleet.

Motoring industry bodies like the VACC’s CEO Peter Jones says the transition meant automotive businesses including repairers needed significant support to make it work.

“As manufacturers bring more electric and hybrid vehicles to our shores, it is essential that adequate support mechanisms are established for the entire automotive ecosystem,” Jones says.

“This necessitates substantial investment in training, equipment, and infrastructure—particularly for independent workshops and regional businesses that may lack resources for rapid adaptation.”

The Dealership and Repairer Initiative for Vehicle Electrification Nationally (DRIVEN) program is one such government program but Jones stressed the critical importance of comprehensive skills development across the industry.

“The investment in TAFE funding and apprenticeship support must be delivered promptly and at sufficient scale for our sector, which already faces acute skills shortages,” says Jones. “We require thousands of new technicians trained in emerging technologies, particularly in electric vehicle systems, over the next decade. Without this workforce development, many businesses will face operational challenges.”

The MTA NSW has specifically highlighted the Code of Conduct for repairers as a priority for the incoming government to support the vital industry.

“Equally pressing is the need to mandate the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry (MVIRI) Code of Conduct to create a fairer operating environment for small and independent repairers who are often at a disadvantage when negotiating

with large insurers,” Stavros Yallouridis, CEO of MTA NSW says.

“We need strong, targeted policies that tackle skills shortages, encourage apprenticeships, and support independent businesses,” he says.

“The automotive sector is facing critical challenges that require immediate attention. These include a growing shortage of skilled workers, the need for more robust training pathways, and stronger incentives for employers to support apprentices.”

It also wants tax reform addressed, including removing the luxury car tax and establish a fair and balanced road user charging system that reflects today’s vehicle technologies and usage patterns.

The MTA NSW also wants the new government to establish a national End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) program to help transition the industry toward a circular economy and ensure responsible, environmentally sound vehicle disposal and recycling.

Other commitments from the Labor government that will be of interest to automotive include the $10,000 support incentives for apprentices and the return of the $20,000 instant asset write off.

Motor Trade Association of SA/ NT CEO Darrell Jacobs reiterated the government needed to urgently develop a pipeline of future automotive talent to address ongoing skills shortages in the rapidly evolving industry.

“The automotive industry is essential to keep Australia moving,” Jacobs says.

“Automotive technicians fix the trucks that deliver our food, work on the farm equipment that harvest our crops, and service the utes that tradies need to build new homes.

“Incentivising local employers and apprentices will help increase the attraction and retention of automotive skills.”

In the March budget, the government made a $77.8m commitment to extend the current interim Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System for a further 6 months.

“Australia must prepare for the steep change in automotive technology at our doorstep. Not only in hybrid and electric vehicles, but also autonomous driving technology, increased connectivity and the integration of artificial intelligence.” Jacobs says.

He emphasised the importance of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and the need to adapt it to changing circumstances.

“The review scheduled for 2026 is vital to measuring the effectiveness of the NVES and its influence on motorists through to local businesses,” Jacobs says.

“The MTA looks forward to working constructively with the Albanese Labor Government over the coming term to drive the automotive industry forward for all Australians.”

Training for technicians in highvoltage safety will be a key push for the industry with government.

Last month for feedback

Repairers will have only June to study and make input into the key governing document between insurers and repairers.

The Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct feedback period was extended to conclude on 23 June 2025.

The Code Administration Committee said it was seeking to gather more responses on the defining document for the industry.

It has been more than a two-year journey since Dr Michael Schaper investigated the code and found major issues with it, relating to its relevance and ease of access.

His review set the stage for the rewrite conducted by the Code Administration Committee that has now reached its penultimate stag, collecting feedback on a draft version released earlier this year.

This draft and the portal to submit feedback are available online, with some repairers reporting on the ease of use and

making submissions.

National client manager for Crashzone, Russ Hill wants to broadcast the importance of the feedback period to the industry and ensure as many repairers as possible have their say on the code.

He has even gone so far as to create his own ‘How to’ video for the Panel Beaters Australia Facebook network to show how easy it is for repairers to leave feedback.

Hill says there will be differing opinions on the contents of the code but this is why the viewpoints of the industry were critical to collate.

“There’s some really good stuff in there, largely around having an independent arbitrator,” he says. “And also having a dispute resolution method that is easy to use, easy to drive, and can give you a positive outcome. When I say positive that is, it doesn’t mean you win. It just means that we’ve now got an opportunity to state our case and go from there.”

The explanatory note released by the CAC in February also offered these three thought-provoking questions in key areas to help frame industry feedback.

1. Dispute timeframes: How long should be allowed for the insurerrepairer to resolve a dispute before it is allowed to proceed to expert adjudication or mediation?

2. Adjudicators: What should the appropriate skill sets, experience and attributes of an adjudicator be?

3. Sanctions: What should Code sanctions be and/or how much should they be for insurers and repairers?

The draft was developed by the Code Administration Committee made up of representatives from the Insurance Council of Australia and the Motor Trades Association of Australia.

Public submissions can be made on the website or by email to codereview@mviricode.com.au.

Turnaround continues with strong units

The AMA Group has continued its financial turnaround in the first part of 2025 with a 10 per cent increase in revenue and almost doubling its earnings over the same period from last year.

The AMA Group reported positive results for a range of its business units in the three-month period from January to March.

This includes revenue up to $249.6 mil (from $226.2 mil in Q32025) and earnings before tax etc of $21.1 mil (up from $10.7 mil) last year. This means the company was confident of delivering overall earnings for the 2024/25 financial year of $58-62 mil.

The turnaround follows major changes to the leadership at the AMA Group and several tough years of lower earnings where it was unable to deliver dividends to investors.

But it now maintains it has completed its capital restructure including the refinancing of debt for three years and redeeming $50 million in convertible notes.

The total number of repairs in 2025 is also up to 61.1K from 58.8 k last year. This has also been boosted by the increased average price of each repair $3897 up from $3685, in Q1 2024.

In an ASX release, the AMA Group highlighted Capital SMART as one business unit that had continued to perform, where improved site efficiency and use, along with a wider repair scope had resulted in the higher average repair price. The project for site transitions in the unit had now been completed allowing additional vehicle repair capacity.

The renewal of the Motor Repair Services Agreement (MRSA) with Suncorp, had also reaffirmed the partnership and the supply of work from the insurer.

It said AMA Collision also continued to show improved signs of turnaround with a transitional change program driving significantly improved financial performance.

“We are continuing to focus on

network optimisation which includes investment in vehicle repair capability, staff and customer experience with existing sites being the highest priority and where we continue to put significant energy.”

Wales sites in Adelaide and Newcastle outperformed business expectations, removing bottlenecks and increasing productivity, part of a wider positive result for Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs.

New TechRight and TrackRight locations were also rolled out under the Specialist Businesses unit including at Eagle Farm, Tullamarine and Wangara, during the quarter.

But it did also report that Prestige sites have not fared so well, with two of the five locations having underperformed and been impacted by volume allocations.

Overall, the AMA Group employs 3,556 team members at the end of March including 460 apprentices, a net increase of 87 team members since the end of 2024.

with John Yoswick

Decisions about genuine and aftermarket parts are one of the conversations needed with customers.

Taking on the challenge

With a host of challenges falling on their businesses in 2025, US collision repairers discuss where they are focusing attention and resources this year.

Between the technician shortage, regulatory compliance, interaction with insurers, new technical capabilities, and marketing in order to keep work flowing to the shop, there’s no shortage of issues for collision repair business owners to tackle. So where are they focusing more of their attention and resources this year? It varies by shop, of course, but here’s how five collision repairers recently answered that question.

Training, and promoting OEM certifications

Andy Kerby, operations manager for Jim Marsh Auto Body in Las Vegas, says his focus currently centers around the technicians repairing the 450 cars the shop processes every month.

“Paying and retaining the technicians that we’ve invested all the money and time in to get them to do repairs the way we want them done in the shop,” Kerby says. “Keep getting these guys to manufacturer training

and to I CAR is going to be key. Collision repair is now more precise, and it requires these guys to really know what they’re doing. I think the liability of a repair today is so crucial on these new cars. You can’t overlook anything. You have to dot your I’s and cross your T’s.”

Robbie Windham, owner of Windham Body Shop in Mississippi, says his 12-employee shop has moved away from insurers direct repair programs, so his current focus is on OEM certifications and marketing.

“Those certifications are great, but they only work if you work them,” Windham says. “You have to educate your people, and be completely transparent with [customers]. It’s that upfront conversation. Make sure they understand the difference between OEM parts and aftermarket parts. The insurance contract is their contact, and there’s not a lot you can do there other than educate your customer and give them the opportunity to pay the

difference for OEM parts. Some won’t, but a lot of people will.”

Playing up those OEM certifications is one piece of his marketing focus.

“We’re doing some digital billboards outside of the normal area we do business in, and we’re doing the geofencing, more of the digital advertising,” Windham says.

“The local newspaper here has that service. And we’re supporting the local schools, because it’s a good community service and helps the kids out, but it also puts us in front of the people we work for. We’re fixing those cars for the moms and dads at the soccer field who are bumping cars in the parking lot or opening doors into one another or whatever. I just feel it’s a good spot to spend that money.”

Getting adequately compensated

When asked where he’ll be focusing added resources this year, Tanner Kemna says it will be getting paid

for the work being done to keep the business successful despite “all the insurance company denials that we are getting even though we give them everything they ask for” in terms of documentation. Kemna is one of the second-generation owners of Kemna Collision Repair, a 15-employee shop in Missouri.

“We try to keep the customer’s payment to just their deductible,” Kemna says. “I try not to take the short-payment I’m getting from the insurance company and put that onto the customer as much as possible [unless] they’re not going to pay for something that’s black-and-white, I’ve got to have it, I have to do it this way, and I can’t make money doing it the way the insurance company is saying that’s the way they’re going to pay.”

But that’s becoming more common, he says.

“We [need customers to understand we are] doing everything we can, we’re providing everything we can to your insurance company, and I’m going to do that two or three times, but by the time the final bill comes and they’re still saying no, here’s all the information you need to take it to small claims court and get your money back,” Kemna says. “I don’t have the exact numbers, but I know that is 90-plus percent effective in customers getting their money back. That’s probably the biggest challenge I see moving forward in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Nikki Anderson has a similar focus on getting paid for the work her shop does, a challenge, she says, when “competing with DRP pricing or losing the job.”

“We are at a point where I’ve looked at the numbers and set our rates so I can say this is how I came to this rate,” Anderson, who co-owns D&B Auto Body in Minnesota, with her husband. “So if insurers want to say that’s not fair and reasonable because that’s more than what they pay their DRPS, well, that’s just what it will have to be.”

She says she has the ability to show customers that the shop’s rate is within range of others in the area.

“So when the insurance company calls them and says, ‘The shop isn’t being fair,’ the customer has the knowledge that we’re right in the middle of everybody else,” Anderson says. “We are getting to a point where there are some things that, yes, we

won’t bill for even though we’re doing them, but there are just some things where we can’t do that anymore. We’re either going to bill the customer, or we’re not here anymore.”

She says the shop parted ways with the one DRP it had, which at the time accounted for more than half its revenue. “But we dropped it and it made absolutely no change at all,” Anderson says. “It actually meant less work, and more money. We were able to charge for storage on all totaled vehicles instead of just those that are not DRP.”

Dealer relationships, apprenticeships

Gene Lopez of Seidner’s Collision in Southern California says the 13-shop company relies pretty heavily on direct repair work for the 1,250 to 1,300 vehicles it processes each month. But he, too, says the company is focusing on other sources of work as claim counts have declined. They are, for example, currently working to add more relationships with dealerships that don’t have their own collision repair facility.

“We have 18 right now that we do, I think, between $3,000 and $5,000 (US) worth of lot damage a month, which we absorb,” Lopez says. “But on the other side, their referrals are pretty strong, and those referrals can either turn into a DRP assignment or, if we’re not with that [customer’s] insurer in a DRP, we’ll charge them our door rate. That works for us, and so the future means more dealer relationships.”

The company is also working on a Seidner’s Collision apprenticeship program.

“I’m looking for some grant money, and there’s a ton of it in California, if you can meet all the requirements,” Lopez says. “For example, one grant provider says our curriculum doesn’t include electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles. But they were basing that on a grant they gave to a mechanical shop. So I explained that we do work on electric and hybrid electric vehicles, but in the collision environment, a lot of that work is the same as if it were on an internal combustion engine vehicle. It’s no different. And they then understood that. So there’s some language in the grants that you have to [work through], but that’s definitely one of our 18-month goals.”

Crash avoidance still in drivers’ hands

A leading US safety expert is urging drivers and the automotive industry to look more broadly at safety and not rely too heavily on technology.

Despite huge improvements in vehicle safety, the US road toll is worse than it was a decade ago and the IIHS has committed to a new vision ‘30x30’ where they are aiming at 30 per cent reduction in fatalities by 2030.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Behaviour and Infrastructure Research, Senior Vice President, Jessica Cicchino says the success of any reduction campaign must be driven by a focus in a range of areas.

Cicchino directs the Institute’s research on road user behaviour and infrastructure, evaluating elements such as road design, traffic laws and how drivers interact with their vehicles and has argued in an opinion piece how dangerous driver behaviour can still undermine vehicle safety.

“The stunning rise in fatalities over the past decade shows that technology and vehicle design changes on their own will never be enough,” she says.

“Even as vehicle improvements spread through the fleet, we’ll need to maintain and expand on any gains we’ve made in the areas of infrastructure and policy. Tackling

our road safety challenges from all sides is the essence of the Safe System approach — and the only way to achieve both 30x30 and lasting progress toward zero fatalities.

Risky behaviours

“To make travel safer, particularly in the near term, it is essential that we find ways to rein in risky driving and improve the design of our roads,” she says.

The work of the IIHS on vehicle ratings has been a powerful force in driving OEMs to make big improvements in their vehicles.

“When we first started running our original moderate overlap frontal crash test in 1995, few of the vehicles we tested earned a good rating. Now, all new vehicles have that level of protection.

“Vehicles with a good rating in head-on crashes have fatality rates 46 per cent lower than the poor-rated vehicles of 30 years ago.

“But while vehicles are safer now than ever before, traffic fatalities in 2022 were nearly 30 per cent higher than they were in 2014,” she says. “Risky behaviours like speeding, alcohol impairment and failure to wear a seat belt have contributed to a growing share of fatalities, wiping out

many of the gains from safer vehicles.

“At the same time, the wins in vehicle safety haven’t benefited all road users equally. Deaths of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists — people who aren’t protected by a vehicle’s structure — have seen their fatalities rise even more sharply, by 49 per cent from 2014 to 2022.”

She says crash avoidance technologies such as automatic emergency braking, and vehicle safety improvements are slowly starting to benefit road users outside the vehicle.

“But such improvements are a long game. The average passenger vehicle is nearly 12 years old, which means that the latest safety features in new cars can take decades to reach most drivers. We need solutions that can start working faster.

“To get to 30x30, we’ll need to take steps that can have an immediate effect — things like deploying safety cameras or installing quickbuild infrastructure.”

Need for reform

Cicchino says the IIHS isn’t an advocacy body but has the evidence to show what works and tools to help community advocates make their case to legislators for reform.

“We also need to push back against dangerous legislative trends. Today eight US states have highways with speed limits of 80 mph (130kmh) or higher. Increases in top speed limits on our highways have cost about 46,000 lives since the early 1990s. To put that in perspective, the number of lives lost due to rising speed limits equals more than half of the lives that have been saved by frontal airbags through 2019.”

She says 33 other US states lack all-rider helmet requirements for motorcyclists. The absence of such laws has cost 22,000 lives since 1976.

“Persuading legislators to enact laws or transportation departments to make infrastructure changes can be challenging but could still outpace the changeover of the vehicle fleet. Redesigning a road can take years, If stronger state laws governing alcoholimpaired driving, seat belt use or distracted driving are passed before 2030, they could have immediate impacts on risky behaviour.”

Risky behaviours can still undermine vehicle safety systems.

Faster and further: ‘1500km’ range

Battery

One of the world’s largest battery makers is claiming a breakthrough in charging that is as fast as filling up from the traditional pump and can take you further.

CATL, the giant Chinese battery maker, who creates the batteries for Tesla and other models, has released details of its prototype it claims can achieve up to 1500km in range.

The new second-generation Shenxing batteries were revealed at the company’s tech day in Shanghai with a rapid charging rate that is boasting 520km in five minutes, or 2.6km/second.

This makes the battery the fastest

on the market, although its application in available models is not yet known, nor whether it will be available in Australia in the near future.

The other key consideration for consumers will be cost, as vehicles with longer ranges usually cost more. However, market development and volume can bring prices down.

The new range claim from CATL almost makes a return trip from Melbourne to Sydney possible on a single charge, after the same company in 2024 also laid claim to the first battery that could do a 1000km trip or the Sydney-Melbourne journey oneway, uninterrupted.

Range and the issues around the scarcity of charging infrastructure remain key barriers in people’s perceptions about buying an EV according to numerous surveys.

In 2025, hybrid vehicles with their petrol engines and longer range, and even plug in hybrids continue to grow in official sales figures of new vehicles.

Pure battery EVs by contrast have slowed in sales since 2024.

What impact the innovation could have on these attitudes and the future car parc, remain to be seen.

CATL has claimed the new batteries can complete a five to 80 per cent recharge in 15 minutes.

EU weakens compliance for emissions

European automakers will have longer to comply with CO2 emissions targets with a potential reduction in fines also flagged.

Now the European Commission has proposed allowing automakers to meet the targets based on their average emissions over the period 2025-2027, instead of the former calculations based on 2025 alone.

Australia has adopted its own New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that will

measure the emissions of each OEM based on their fleet from July 1.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Reuters the change would give European automakers “breathing space”.

European OEMs had warned that enforcing the targets this year could have resulted in fines of up to 15 billion euros ($25 billion), given the goals rely on selling more EVs.

The EU auto industry has had seven

years to prepare for the 2025 targets.

In other parts of the world the reversals on pollution targets continue, with the US government reversing an attempt by California to end the sale of ICE vehicles by 2035.

The plan, that had been adopted by 11 other states, aimed to mandate at least 80 per cent EVs by 2035.

But the waiver allowed under the Biden administration has been repealed by the Trump administration.

giant CATL now claims to have produced a battery with 1500km range.

PPG wants zero greenhouse gas emissions in paint chain

Global coatings giant PPG has taken another step toward its 2030 sustainability targets, with more of its paint products to come under the microscope of measuring their full environmental impact.

While the company has won many accolades for its efforts to lower the carbon footprint in the repair workshop and with the paint they supply, now they are extending this to new parts of the portfolio.

PPG has joined Make it Zero, a global initiative aimed at reducing scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the Do-It-Yourself home improvement sector. As part of

Australia and New Zealand has become a signatory to the initiative’s decarbonisation targets.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from activities in a company’s value chain that are not owned or controlled by the company but that it indirectly affects.

In a release, PPG says it will contribute to this through the development of clear and consistent methodologies for collecting and measuring carbon data, sharing best practices in reporting and accelerating progress to reduce scope three emissions.

“As a key player in the retail DIY

chain,” says Sarah Trowse, PPG Customer Sustainability Business Partner, Architectural Coatings.

“We share the responsibility to lower the industry’s carbon footprint and are committed to working together with our customers and suppliers to achieve these goals.

“By lowering our scope three emissions and joining this task force, we’re supporting our customers’ sustainability ambitions, accelerating a lower carbon portfolio of paints and coatings, and creating stronger customer intimacy.”

For more information about PPG’s

59 per cent in 2023.

Hybrid vehicle interest has grown to 65 per cent with 8 per cent already owning one.

The demographics behind the poll reveal the same features as have also

controversial CEO, Elon Musk.

Democrats and liberals continue to show stronger interest in EVs, according to the poll with 71 per cent of Democrats and 78 per cent of liberals

compared to 31 per cent of Republicans

and less concern with charging infrastructure may be the cause of increased interest in hybrids.

Young people and particularly tertiary educated graduates show the strongest preference for EVs.

Sarah-Trowse is driving PPG to a global leader with the Make it Zero program.

Image: PPG

UK brokers a deal on tariffs

The UK automotive market has found some breathing space from the chaos that has hit the global economy following the announcement of US tariffs.

The high tariffs, part of a protectionist strategy proposed by the Trump administration, is aimed at shrinking a $1.2 trillion US goods trade deficit but was put on hold following the disruption it caused on world markets.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was one of the first to take advantage of the hiatus, announcing a limited bilateral trade agreement that leaves Trump’s 10 per cent tariffs on British exports, expands agricultural access for both countries and lowers prohibitive US duties on British car exports.

“This is a really fantastic, historic day,” Starmer told Reuters. “This is going to boost trade between and across our countries, it’s going to not only protect jobs, but create jobs, opening market access.”

The two countries have heralded the plan as a “breakthrough deal” that lowers average British tariffs on US goods to 1.8 per cent from 5.1 per cent but keeps in place a 10 per cent tariff on British goods.

In April, Trump imposed reciprocal duties of up to 50 per cent on goods from 57 trading partners including the EU. The move also puts new 25 per cent tariffs on automotive imports, and ends all exemptions on steel and aluminium tariffs.

But the trade war threatened to

New approach to driverless vehicle safety

In an effort to keep up with Chinese innovation in the automated vehicle space, the US has released a new framework on how they will deal with vehicle safety.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has unveiled the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new Automated Vehicle (AV) Framework as part of his transportation innovation agenda.

The new framework aims to seek a balance in the driverless area seeking to boost innovation by removing redtape , prioritising safety on public roads and also increase mobility through expanded automated vehicle use.

“This Administration understands that we’re in a race with China to outinnovate, and the stakes couldn’t be higher,” says Duffy.

“As part of DOT’s innovation agenda, our new framework will slash red tape and move us closer to a single national standard that spurs innovation and prioritises safety.”

“The first actions under this framework will help accelerate work toward modernising Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to blaze a path for the safe commercial

send the US into recession and under pressure to de-escalate its tariffs, the Trump administration has left the door open to deals until July 9.

But China remains the biggest sticking point with US and Chinese tariffs of 145 per cent and 125 per cent, respectively on each side

The disruptions to the world economy have been felt almost everywhere with the world’s largest auto manufacturer Toyota Motor expecting profits to decline by a fifth in the current financial year, as a consequence of the turmoil.

The world’s top-selling car manufacturer said it expected operating income to total 3.8 trillion yen (about AUD $45 billion) in the year to March 2026, versus 4.8 trillion yen in the year before.

American people.

“To prioritize safety, NHTSA is maintaining its Standing General Order on Crash Reporting for vehicles equipped with certain advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving systems (ADS). At the same time, the agency will streamline the reporting to sharpen the focus on critical safety information while removing unnecessary and duplicative requirements.

NHTSA will also expand the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP) to now include US produced vehicles.

“Previously open only to imported AVs, AVEP has promoted vehicle

The US hopes to catch up with Chinese technology by encouraging homegrown autonomous innovation.

Image: weerapat1003/ stockadobe.com

faster exemption procedures that allow companies to operate non-compliant imported vehicles on U.S. roads. Until today, this program was not available for American-built vehicles.”

It aims to encourage US AV developers through the exemptions.

“By streamlining the SGO for Crash Reporting and expanding an existing exemption program to domestic vehicles, we are enabling AV manufacturers to develop faster and spend less time on unnecessary process, while still advancing safety,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser. “These are the first steps toward making America a more welcoming environment for the next generation of automotive technology.”

Breakthrough in EV battery fire prevention

Hyundai has made new inroads in allaying fears about EV fires with technology to prevent thermal runaway Hyundai Mobis says it has succeeded in developing a new technology that can extinguish a fire immediately by spraying a fire extinguishing agent when a battery cell catches fire.

It is a breakthrough in technology to prevent thermal runaway by preventing heat from being transferred to adjacent cells. Hyundai Mobis has designed the system to go beyond delaying thermal runaway, a commonly mandated requirement now, by using heat-resistant materials and prevent the runaway from occurring in the first place.

Major countries such as Europe, China, and India have mandated that thermal runaway be delayed for

at least five minutes after the initial ignition of the battery cell, while some countries are tightening their regulations to prevent thermal transfer from occurring in the first place.

Hyundai Mobis’ battery system assembly with cell-level fire extinguishing feature is expected to be in the spotlight as next-generation safety technology in the global market.

The BSA developed by Hyundai Mobis consists of a battery management system (BMS), hardware consisting of a fire extinguishing device and battery case, and software logic that controls them.

Based on the real-time data collected by the sensors, it analyses the temperature and voltage of the battery and the pressure inside the battery system to determine any

abnormalities. It then sets the location where the extinguishing agent will be sprayed and commands the fire extinguishing device to operate. The software is designed to make quick, accurate decisions to deal with any physical changes in the battery.

Hyundai Mobis says the battery system is equipped with a fire extinguishing agent that is five times the capacity of a 3.3 kilograms home fire extinguisher. This agent is a substance with excellent cooling, insulation, and permeability properties, and is harmless to both the environment and human body.

Hyundai Mobis has also applied for a total of three domestic and international patents, including a battery case and a fire extinguishing device for piping extinguishing agents.

New push for electrified vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will launch an all-new battery electric vehicle based on the next-generation LEAF as part of its partnership with Nissan Motors. While the plans do not include an Australian launch date, the company says it is also exploring further collaboration opportunities, including potential expansion into Australia.

It is scheduled for the North American market in the second half of 2026 as part of its strategy in the US up until 2030 that aims to strengthen its partnership with Nissan and grow its lineup of electrified vehicles and its efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality.

How it will tackle the high proposed tariffs imposed on imported vehicles in the US is another hurdle it will need to negotiate.

Mitsubishi Motors is also using its PHEV technology to supply an OEM model to Nissan for the North American market in 2026.

Meanwhile negotiations between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies have continued on developing electric vehicles. The two partners signed

a memorandum of understanding about the vehicle, manufactured in Taiwan, and set for launch in Australia by late 2026.

Mitsubishi released the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013, the Outlander PHEV and plans to sell 100 per cent electrified vehicles by 2035.

“Mitsubishi Motors Australia welcomes confirmation of this exciting partnership between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Foxtron and we are looking forward to working closely to deliver a great product for Australian customers,” Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited CEO Shaun Westcott says.

step in our Momentum 2030 plan and offers another string to our multi-powertrain bow that will see us through to the next decade. It will join a refreshed Mitsubishi range that already offers petrol, diesel and PHEV options that fit Australian lifestyles, all with our innovative 10/10 warranty and capped price servicing plan.

“It is also further evidence of our core market relationship with MMC, with Australia the first Mitsubishi market to receive this vehicle from launch and signifies our ongoing

Image:

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi introduced the world’s first PHEV and continues with new iterations of the Outlander.

Partnership built on toughness

Nissan Australia is celebrating an almost six-year partnership with Premcar on its Warrior program that has now customised almost 13,000 offroad vehicles for Australian conditions

The Warrior program commenced in 2019 involves re-engineering popular models like Navara, and Patrol with enhanced capability and toughness to specifically suit Australian conditions.

The Navara SL Warrior, the Navara PRO-4X Warrior and the Patrol Warrior

have undergone comprehensive testing for performance and durability in remote areas of Australia, including Mount Disappointment, Big Desert, Arkaroola and around Lake Eyre.

But the engineering plant is based in Epping, with Premcar opening a dedicated plant in 2023 now some 13,000 square metres across two facilities with more than 200 staff.

It has fitted some 63,775* wheels and tyres, along with 51,020* springs,

Vans go fuel light but safe

Ford’s renowned van offering is set to expand with new options aimed at even better economy through alternative powertrains and advanced safety recognised by ANCAP.

Ford Australia new offering in the light-duty van segment, the new 2025.75MY E-Transit Custom and Transit Custom PHEV will offer small businesses and fleet operators new low emission options but keep the equipment, safety, design and packaging.

The lower costs of running is supplemented by safety features that may help to keep them running and avoid urban prangs.

During ANCAP’s 2024 Commercial Van Safety Comparison, the independent vehicle safety authority evaluated 31 different vans, awarding

the new Transit Custom the highest score on test, scoring a remarkable 96 per cent and the prestigious ‘Platinum’ medallion grading.

“The second-generation Ford Transit Custom sets the benchmark for fitment and performance, achieving a near-perfect score in our collision avoidance safety assessments,” says ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

“With a comprehensive suite of advanced active safety features, the Transit Custom excels in delivering toptier collision avoidance capability. It performed exceptionally well across all tested scenarios, solidifying it as one of the safest options in its segment.”

Four variants will be available, with the choice of plug-in hybrid or battery electric powertrains in either

51,020* shock absorbers and 12,755* bash plates.

About 80 percent of the content added to Warrior vehicles is sourced from Australian suppliers, with many decades-long partnerships with Premcar for almost three decades.

“Premcar was founded in 1996 at the height of Australia’s local manufacturing era, yet now, some 29 years later, the company is bigger than it has ever been,” says Premcar CEO, Bernie Quinn.

“We owe so much of that success to Nissan, and to its customers, all of whom value true local expertise when it comes to tailoring vehicles to Australia’s unique conditions.

“We always say that we are about increasing a vehicle’s breadth of capability, and the same is true of our business. Premcar is proud to boast some of the brightest minds in the automotive space, with our engineers and manufacturing experts having worked for just about every OEM in a host of countries.

“And now they apply that wealth of knowledge to our remanufactured vehicles right here in Australia, delivering OEM-level quality to the Warrior’s design, development, and validation processes.”

Long Wheelbase Trend or Short Wheelbase Sport.

Powered by a 111kW/320Nm electric motor and 86kW/209Nm 2.5L petrol engine, with a combined power output of 171kW across a wide powerband, the Transit Custom PHEV has an official WLTP fuel economy rating of just 1.7L/100km and an electric-only range of up to 54km from its liquidcooled 11.8kWh battery.

The zero-emission E-Transit Custom is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that delivers 160kW of power and 415Nm of torque, paired with a 64kWh battery. Plugged into a DC charger, it can charge from 15-80% in 32 minutes at a charging rate of 125kW, and can fully charge from empty overnight in approximately 6.7 hours using an 11kW AC charger.

Image: Nissan

The Patrol and Navarra models have become muchloved by off road enthusiasts.

Jaguar finds new life in re-use

Jaguar Land Rover has taken major steps to reducing waste as an OEM and using its major shift to electrification as a chance to reuse and refurbish its equipment.

The $200 million project across its industrial operations in the UK and Europe will put tens of thousands of pieces of equipment and tools –spanning from entire production lines to screwdrivers – have been put back in circulation, through a £100m reuse, refurbishment, repurposing and recycling drive.

As its electrification transformation progresses to the next stage, with the upcoming launch of Range Rover Electric, JLR’s industrial operations are readying themselves for the next generation of electric vehicles and undergoing a revamp across all facilities.

The project will consider factors such as standard compliance, availability of spare parts, cost of refurbishment and servicing, potential scrap as well as sale revenues as it endeavours to repurpose old equipment instead of simply buying new equipment, 50,000 square meters of equipment from Castle Bromwich which ceased production last year, the Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, London and Graz, Austria have been redeployed to sites in the UK and Nitra, Slovakia.

Hundreds of second-life robots have also been installed at Solihull, Halewood, and the EPMC in

Thousands of tools have been put back into service as part of the program.

Wolverhampton ready to produce JLR’s next generation electric vehicles and battery packs.

18,600 tonnes of scrapped metal from Castle Bromwich and Graz have been sent to a supplier for recycling, helping to enable the reduction of CO2e emissions by 1,258kg per tonne of new steel generated from scrapped metal.

JLR Chief Sustainability Officer Andrea Debbane says circularity and sustainability beyond tailpipe emissions plays a major part in the company’s transformation and also makes business sense.

“As we are entering a critical phase in our electrification journey, JLR has at heart and aims to act

as a responsible user of resources by enhancing product utility and longevity, and maximising recycling and repurposing.

“It’s not only the right thing to do, but it also improves profitability and increases supply chain resilience. Through these initiatives, JLR advocates that sustainable choices are not always more expensive, they can help reduce costs and even become opportunities for the growth and development of our colleagues.”

“A new digital management system has also been developed in-house, aiming to manage the life of every vehicle programme asset from acquisition through to sale, scrapping and reuse.”

Choice and ‘peace of mind’

Mitsubishi is hoping to attract new customers with an insurance product that offers choice of repairer and the use of genuine parts for repairs.

Mitsubishi Motors Premier Insurance is a partnership with Allianz that offers the protection from the dealership

MMAL CEO, Shaun Westcott says the company is a market leader in follow-up customer support and this is the next step in ensuring peace-ofmind for owners.

Its industry-first Diamond Advantage program that combines a 10-year

200,000km warranty with a 10-year capped price servicing program and its expansive array of Mitsubishi Genuine Accessories are examples of the support they offer, Westcott says.

“Mitsubishi Motors stands for quality; not just in its vehicles but in how it provides supporting services and products for customers,” he says.

“To protect this reputation, we only partner with businesses that share that same high-quality, customer- first mentality.

“In developing this product, we

couldn’t have a better partner than Allianz, and we look forward to further supporting customers for all their insurance needs.”

MMPI provides several significant customer benefits, including new for old vehicle replacement for three years and the use of Mitsubishi Genuine Parts for repairs.

It also offers customers to have their choice of repairer and the option to pay by the month without additional loading.

Launching onto a green path

OEM newcomer to Australia JAECOO, is already keen to play its part beyond the showroom and extend its impact with support for conservation programs.

The leading Chinese global automotive manufacturer has announced a partnership with Greenfleet to establish a Jaecoo forest in Victoria to celebrate the launch of the brand in Australia.

The JAECOO forest will be established within Greenfleet’s Strzelecki Nature Link restoring 3.5 kilometres of legally protected wildlife habitat on Boonwurrung Country in South Gippsland.

The reserve will see another 7,000 locally native trees planted and protected.

Greenfleet has been restoring legally protected native ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand for over 25 years.

The partnership is aimed at growing the impact Greenfleet is making to restore natural environment and ensure JAECOO and their customers have a positive environmental impact through the brand.

The Jaecoo executive visited the project site to understand the scale of the work being undertaken and plant the first trees as

part of the JAECOO Forest.

“We are proud to announce this meaningful partnership that reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation,” Lewis Lu, CEO of JAECOO Australia says.

“We’re honoured to support the restoration of native ecosystems on Boonwurrung Country and look forward to growing our presence in Australia with purpose and care.”

Greenfleet’s Acting CEO, Annabel O’Neill says the JAECOO Forest will have a significant environmental impact for the Strzelecki Nature Link.

“ We’re thrilled this partnership will help restore nature and celebrate the Australian launch of the Jaecoo 7,” she says.

“With this support, Greenfleet continues to grow our impact, restore nature, and protect our climate.”

Jaecoo’s flagship launch model the J7 SHS model, which has gained a five-star ANCAP rating, is aimed at being the standard bearer of its commitment to sustainability, with low fuel use and the option of alternative powertrains.

It uses technology that switches between full electric and hybrid petrol modes, combining the silent driving and rapid acceleration of an electric vehicle with all the advantages of a petrol hybrid. It boasts a driving range of 1200km and fuel consumption rated at 1.0L/100km on the combined cycle.

EV sales drive BMW success

BMW has started the year with a bounce back, including strong pure EV sales across the globe in the premium market.

The premium manufacturer from Munich continued its dynamic BEV ramp-up in a volatile market beset by slowing EV sales and US tariffs and delivered profitability at the upper end of its 2025 target range.

In the first quarter of the year, the BMW Group delivered 586,117 premium vehicles to customers, slightly down on last year, with more than a quarter of these were electrified (26.9 per cent), with fully-electric vehicles jumping up 32.4 per cent.

The earnings before tax in the automotive segment was 6.9 per cent, in the upper end of the targeted range of 5-7 per cent for the year.

BMW AG Chairman of the Board of Management Oliver Zipse says it was all about having attractive products and strict cost discipline.

“The more challenging the environment, the more crucial it is to have compelling products, a consistent strategy and a high degree of flexibility. Our technology-open approach remains a key success factor: with our young, highly attractive models and our broad range of drives, we are able to meet

the various needs of customers worldwide. This enables us to achieve robust results and stay on course to meet our ambitious full-year targets,” Zipse says.

“With the NEUE KLASSE, we are putting our biggest future project on the road: we are expanding our fully-electric offering and rolling out future technology clusters and the new design language across our entire model portfolio. This will raise the level of innovation in our vehicles across all drive types to a whole new level – while also setting the course for profitable growth and sustainable success.”

Image: JAECOO

Jaecoo and Greenfleet leaders gather at the nature corridor in the Strezlecki Ranges.

Custom Corner

with Cliff Chambers

Ferocious forest racers

A FEW issues ago we looked at rule changes that saw Mazda join the world rally scene. Changes made necessary by the fearsome cars known to rally enthusiasts during the 1980s as ‘Group B Beasts’.

These were prodigiously fast and not especially sophisticated vehicles that placed extraordinary demands on competitor concentration and fitness. Within just a few years, rallying would turn a test of navigational skills and durability into one of the most physically

challenging of all sporting spectacles.

Group B cars were the super-maxis of World Championship rallying. To receive Homologation approval, they had to be based on a production model and a production engine, but that was pretty much where the eligibility rules stepped aside.

Audi went first with its five-cylinder, All-Wheel Drive Quattro, winning World titles in 1982 and 1984, Group B beasts were by then, coming from everywhere.

Renault built its rear-engined R5 and Peugeot a fearsome version of its

AUDI QUATTRO SPORT S1

AS SPEEDS rose and demands on crew members intensified, a major rally accident was inevitable, and in May 1986 it happened. On a mountainside stage of the Tour de Corse (Corsica) an S4 crewed by Henri Toivonen/Sergio Cresta left the road while leading the event, landing upside down and catching fire. Both occupants were killed, resulting in Audi and Ford withdrawing from the year’s remaining events and the sport’s governing body ending Group B eligibility.

Before the tragic crash, Lancia’s Delta-based S4 showed its ability to challenge the dominant Peugeots. With the S4, Lancia scored a first-up win in 1985 and three more during 1986. Despite the fatal Toivonen crash, it would still earn a second-place finish in the Manufacturers’ title. The S4’s heritage and Lancia’s rally dominance dated back to the 1960s via the front-wheel drive Fulvia HF. Then in 1973 arrived the radical Stratos coupe which ranks as the world’s first purpose-built rally car. Delta S4s rallied during 1985/86 had a 1.75-litre mid-mounted engine with a turbocharger and supercharger working in sequence. Output during events like the Monte Carlo would be around 330kW but the engine was capable of producing over 600kW at maximum boost. Top speed was 220km/h, with 0-60mph (0-97km/h) on gravel taking 2.8 seconds.

friendly 205GTi. MG and Ford brought Britain in to the fray, but it was Lancia with its Delta S4 that would produce the fastest forest racer there is ever likely to be.

All of these models are superstars of the collector market too. The year 2022 saw the 1986 Monte Carlowinning Lancia Delta S4 make EU 1.63 million (around A$2.7 million) when auctioned and Hannu Mikkola’s 1985 WRC Audi Quattro Sport, also during 2022, reached an extraordinary £1.805 million (A$3.53 million).

AUDI STARTED the stampede in 1980 with its turbo-engined Quattro and extended its capabilities as more sophisticated rivals joined the World Rally fray. By the time works driver Walter Rohrl set a sub 11-minute run on USA’s Pikes Peak in 1987, his short wheelbase Quattro Sport E2 weighed under 1000kg and was producing around 450kW. However, that isn’t the way the Quattro was configured before the team withdrew from WRC events midway through 1986.

In 1984, Audi’s solution was to build 200 road-going Quattro Sports with a shorter wheelbase and amended weight distribution.

Changes included deletion of the central differential and mounting the radiators behind the cabin where they were fed by side and roof-mounted ducts. E2 versions of the Sport were said to be the most powerful of the homologated Group B cars but difficult to handle even for Audi’s ‘dream team’ of drivers. The Quattro with its front-engined design struggled against mid-engined rivals from Lancia and Peugeot and demanded special driving techniques to remain competitive on sinuous rally roads. Gravel and especially ice saw the Quattros understeer endemically and require drivers to balance their cars on the brake pedal while simultaneously juggling the throttle, sequential gearshift and handbrake.

LANCIA DELTA S4

ONCE AUDI’S Quattro had reached the peak of its development, Peugeot came from the shadows with a car that threatened both Audi and the forthcoming Lancia S4.

By 1985, with virtually any modification acceptable under Group B rules, Peugeot’s Evolution 2 version of its T16 was introduced, looking similar to the production car but with a space frame supporting the rear-mounted engine. These cars were 70kg lighter than earlier versions, with 335kW available from 1.8 litres when running 2.6 bar of turbo boost or 37.7psi.

In that form, the T16 won four World Rally events during 1985, followed by six in 1986 including the fateful Tour de Corse. These wins gave Peugeot the Drivers and Constructors titles for both years, although the 1986 Championship rang somewhat hollow due to depleted fields. Peugeot shared with Audi a desire to impress in the North American market and challenged the mighty Quattro Sport E2 in a match race on the daunting Pikes Peak.

Climbing more than 2800 metres in 11 minutes on a mix of paved road and gravel, Pikes Peak was the equal of any WRC Special Stage and although the Peugeot with its array of aerodynamic devices was fast, the 1.8-litre T16 lost out to Audi in its first and only attempt at Pikes.

FORD RS200

FORD CAME late to the Group B party, using a purpose-built derivative of the 3rd Generation Escort with a mid-mount engine and All-Wheel Drive technology.

A road-spec version experienced by Unique Cars on a race circuit wasn’t running anywhere near the same boost or the gearing used for WRC events but still recorded a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 2.4 seconds on the bitumen of Queensland Raceway. At best it would do 1.8 seconds.

Another purpose-built design with its engine behind the cabin, the RS200 used a derivative of Ford’s famed 1.8-litre BDA four-cylinder.

Upgraded and turbocharged, the engine in road specification produced 186kW, with up to 336kW used during WRC events.

The RS200’s Group B career was brief with minimal success before two tragic events saw the cars withdrawn from WRC events. Prior to the fatal crash involving Lancia’s S4 there had been an incident at the Portuguese round of the 1986 WRC.

There, on roads lined by unrestrained spectators, the driver of a locally entered RS200 tried to avoid a spectator standing on the road, lost control and crashed into the crowd. Three were killed and 32 injured but the rally organisers elected to let the event continue.

RENAULT 5 TURBO

SOME TIME back we took a look at one of these, albeit in far less ferocious form than versions that contested rallies in Group B form.

Under early Group B rules, the 5 Turbo had to be production based and 400 needed to be sold to qualify for international rally events.

The rules didn’t mention where the engine could be located, so ripping the back seat out of a production 5 and installing a 1.4-litre turbo with technical backing from the people who built Renault’s Formula One engines was easy.

Renault’s radical design brought immediate success, with a Five Turbo winning the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally. That was it for a while though, as competition from All-Wheel Drive Audis and Lancias forced Renault to wait until the French round of the 1982 World Rally Championship for its next win. Traction with rear-wheel drive only would always put the compact Renault at a disadvantage, with the powerful 5 Maxi versions struggling especially in snow and on gravel.

However, where an event was held somewhere other than icy Scandinavian roads and on tarmac, the 258kW Maxi was in its element.

The Tour de Corse (Corsica) was such an event and there in 1985, Renault finished a massive 12 minutes ahead of the second-placed Peugeot 205.

PEUGEOT 205 T16

with Trevor Schwenke

See it. Believe it. Be part of it.

This June, Brisbane will become the heartbeat of skills excellence as it hosts the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships — and you’re invited to witness the future of our workforce in action.

Over the course of three exciting, action-packed days, young champions from across the country will come together to compete, create, and showcase their skills across more than 60 skilled trades and professions. From traditional trades like bricklaying and plumbing, to modern specialisations like beauty therapy and programming, this is where the best of the best will go head-to-head — not just for medals, but to benchmark their abilities against national standards and set new benchmarks of excellence in their chosen industries.

But this event is about more than just competition. It’s a celebration of possibility.

For young people still wondering “what’s next?” — those who haven’t yet found their path or are unsure what careers are out there — this event can be a game changer. Seeing others their age mastering practical, handson skills, using industry-standard tools and equipment, and thriving in careers that demand precision, creativity,

and innovation can be incredibly inspiring. Sometimes, the simple act of seeing someone in action is enough to spark curiosity, passion, and ambition. Because sometimes, seeing really is believing.

Across the entire Championships, the venue will come alive with energy, ideas, and inspiration.

From interactive Try’aSkill zones and hands-on demonstrations to career conversations with trainers, employers, and industry mentors, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the many pathways that skilled careers can offer. There will also be opportunities to connect with former competitors who have turned their WorldSkills experience into successful, fulfilling careers. This is more than just a skills competition — it’s a living classroom and a launchpad for the future.

Whether you’re a student exploring your options, a parent guiding your child, a teacher encouraging your class, or simply someone who believes in the power and potential of skills, we encourage you to come along. The 2025 National Championships & Skills Show provides a rare and valuable window into the trades

and professions that keep Australia moving — and the talent that will lead us forward.

Come and see the passion, the precision, and the potential. Discover the power of skills. Join us as we cheer on the next generation of skilled professionals — the future builders, creators, carers, makers, and innovators of Australia.

Trevor Schwenke CEO, WorldSkills Australia

Competing at the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships could even lead to representing Australia overseas.

Image: WorldSkills Australia