National Collision Repairer October

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Dynamic duo

Where great partnerships can take talent

MTA NSW on the EV training that matters Border glory for bodywork specialist

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Chairman John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

CEO Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OF SALES

Andrew Morrison andrew.morrison@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

Eugene Duffy

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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

MANAGER

Michael Ingram

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

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DISCLAIMER

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. © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2024

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Automotive industry

Keep up to date with a selection of industry news

More developments from the world

Milestone reached in the recognition of

that does it right.

Knowledge and training still taking the pain out of change

It has been the privilege for many years for National Collision Repairer magazine to not only report on one of the most radical periods in automotive history but to tell the stories of those who are adapting and thriving in it.

The last ten years have shown that advanced automation, which begins its life in sophisticated robotics and defence technology invariably finds its way into our cars. One stream of this technology is focused on efficiency. New power sources are notching up new milestones in output, efficiency and lower emissions. Another arm of technology pursues the user experience, enhancing comfort and safety by effectively removing the element of human error from our driving experience. Both streams share the impetus driven by

The NVES coming into affect in July and a rush of new models is finally seeing a market push toward lower emissions vehicles after a year or two of sluggish uptake. But the electrification of personal transport seems almost inevitable if global markets are anything to judge by. There have been adjustments to targets and some sober reconsideration after initial optimistic predictions, but nearly every major car manufacturer knows where the future lies and it lies with

demand. The business case here, apart from the OEM’s commitment to the environment, is a fundamental need to stay relevant to what customers want.

Similarly, the increasingly advancing technology centred around driver ease and safety, like ADAS systems, will also be driven by consumer demand. AEB is now mandatory in new vehicles in Australia and it is hard to guess how many more systems will be standard in a new vehicle within years. That will dictate just what repairers need to know to repair and calibrate these cars. It is another challenge to stay relevant.

If all this change can seem daunting or overwhelming, this is not an industry that is easily intimidated. The stories we have had the privileged to run on these pages are all about those who have grappled with the challenge and continue to grow.

Extraordinary as every new change seems, many industry veterans have noted this is not unusual and more part of a continuum of change and automotive innovation over a century. Similarly, the repair industry has kept pace with this constant change and the best have found new ways to not only improve the outcomes but ease the whole repair experience.

Whatever the rate of change, it is preparedness and adaptation that best serve businesses large and small. Training and knowledge best drive this adaptation, because these keep the eyes set firmly on the future. It is a focus we at the National Collision Repairer have been proud to foster.

We hope you enjoy and learn something from this edition.

Eugene Duffy Editor

The National

Collision Repairer

Cut. Scuff. Repeat. SEM’s new abrasive range

When you’re in the middle of a job, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your abrasives are up to the task. That’s where SEM Products - a PPG business unit - steps in. Their new SEM Gold and SEM Scuff performance abrasives are purpose-built for day-in, day-out sanding and finishing, giving tradespeople simple, reliable options without breaking the budget. Every product in the new SEM abrasives range delivers consistent, high-quality performance, but each is tailored for a specific role in the workshop.

SEM Gold abrasives

Still using old-school abrasives for prep work, paint removal, or sanding primer? It might be time for an upgrade. SEM Gold abrasives are made with premium aluminium oxide grains, a durable resin bond, and a flexible latex-coated paper base. This means they cut quickly, last longer, and handle even aggressive sanding jobs.

The lineup includes 150mm grip discs in 15-hole and PSA nohole styles. The 15-hole

versions, available from coarse P40 grit right through to ultra-fine P800 grit, are designed for orbital sanders and to maximise dust extraction. The hook-andloop backing makes swapping them out quick and easy, while the open-coat, load-resistant surface reduces clogging for smoother cutting control.

The no-hole 150mm option uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing for a firm hold and easy changeover, which is perfect when you need an uninterrupted, flat sanding surface. Available grits include P80, P120, and P240.

Rounding out the Gold range are Perforated Grip Rolls, ideal for block or hand sanding. They come in two roll sizes, 70mm x 12m and 115mm x 12m, and both come in four popular grits: P80, P120, P180, and P240.

SEM Scuff abrasives

Some areas simply won’t fit a power tool, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be prepped properly. SEM Scuff abrasives excel in tight corners, curves, and intricate profiles, making them a go-to

The SEM abrasives range not only delivers consistent, high-quality performance, but is tailored for specific roles in the workshop.

for scuffing finishes before painting.

The flexible non-woven fibre construction bends to awkward shapes without tearing or rusting, which is a big advantage over steel wool, and the open-web structure resists clogging, so you can keep working without interruption.

The range includes three practical options to suit a range of jobs. The 152mm x 230mm Scourer Pad in maroon comes in a very fine P360 grit and is great for hand sanding. The 150mm Scourer Disc, in P360 grit (maroon) and ultra-fine P800 grit (grey), works for both hand sanding and orbital machines. And the 115mm x 10m Scourer Roll, also in P360 and P800 grits, can be cut to whatever length suits the job.

What SEM have nailed in their new performance abrasive product range is cost-effective simplicity and versatility. They are ready-to-go solutions that perform across common workshop tasks.

Please contact your local PPG Distributor for more details on SEM performance abrasives, including SEM Gold and SEM Scuff product ranges.

Abrasive Snapshot

Next-level intelligence

A global leader in automotive innovation and technology for more than a century, Hella Gutmann is making new inroads in vehicle diagnostics and keeping workshop efficiency front of mind in everything they do. Their MEGA MACS S 20 takes vehicle diagnostic excellence to the next level.

The Mega Macs S 20 from HELLA Gutmann Australia is redefining vehicle diagnostics in the industry.

Now covering 88 per cent of the Australian car parc and 95 per cent of the top car brands in Australia, this revolutionary device puts industry-leading diagnostic tools directly into the hands of mechanics or workshop technicians.

The S 20 is specifically designed for speed, accuracy, and simplicity – ensuring a smarter, more costeffective solution to help achieve an efficient workshop.

At its core, this entry-level, Androidbased diagnostic tool features a fault code-based system, providing mechanics with an immediate access to an extensive knowledge database - all at their fingertips.

With this advanced capability along with a three selectable software modules and associated usage licenses, the S 20 can be tailored to your specific workshop requirements - saving both time and money.

This tool operates on HELLA Gutmann’s innovative SDI software,

developed by their expert engineers from Germany, making it possible for you to access this next-level software that was previously exclusive to their toptier products.

Beyond that, futureproofing is guaranteed with support for DoIP (Diagnostics over Internet Protocol) and CAN-FD data transmission protocols, ensuring the tool can meet diagnostic demands today and well into the future.

The Mega Macs S 20 package comes with the HG-VCI S 20 module and features Bluetooth® and USB-C

The Mega Mac S 20 aims to add simplicity and efficiency to the diagnostic process.

Images: Hella

connectivity. This makes it possible for technicians to connect seamlessly to the vehicle’s OBD interface, ensuring reliable communication throughout the entire diagnostic process.

The Mega Macs S 20 guides repairers to easily identify issues, recommend

basic software updates at no ongoing cost. This makes the S 20 not just the ultimate diagnostic tool, but also a long-term investment that can boost workshop performance.

With HELLA Gutmann as your trusted partner, you will have access to dedicated

Right: The HG-VCI S 20 module enables the convenience of Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity.

Hella’s extensive history and expertise in technology have been focussed on meeting the demands of the busy repair workshops and Mega Macs S 20 provides simple, cost-effective diagnostics for their day-to-day needs, now and into the future.

Diagnostic solutions when and how your business needs them

Highlights:

Rapid access: Database covers 95 per cent of top vehicle brands

Three software modules: Tailor it to your workshop’s needs

Futureproofed: Support for DoIP and Can FD data

Reliability and convenience: Bluetooth and USD- connectivity.

Key Advantages for Mega Macs S 20

Smarter diagnostic, faster results

Covers 88% of the Australian car parc and 95% of the top car brands in Australia

Developed by expert German engineers

Utilizes HELLA Gutmann’s innovative SDI software, ensuring speed, reliability, and precision

Future-ready technology

Support DoIP and CAN-FD data transmission protocols, providing lasting compatibility

Next-Level Intelligence for Vehicle Diagnostic Excellence

Partners in efficency

Western General Bodyworks director Danny Buzadzic epitomises the energy and good humour of many business owners in the collision repair industry. But when it comes to the gear he invests in, he is not only serious but adamant.

“I’ve been dealing with Car-O-Liner for decades,” Danny says.

“I reckon it was 35 years ago, the first time we bought a Car-O-Liner and I reckon I’ve got about 20 Car-O-Liner benches now, and all their spot welders and equipment.

“Out of everything I’ve ever done in life, their service has been absolutely tip top. And their equipment, honestly, you can put a Rolls Royce tick on everything they sell.”

Danny says their range also allows their shops the flexibility to take on the array of work the 11 shops in the Western General Bodyworks group are often dealing with.

“We’ve got the Speed benches, which

are the tiny little ones and they’re used for the rapid repairing stations. Then we’ve got the 4200s and they are the ones we use mainly every day. We’ve also got some of the 5000 benches, for the big ones.”

Investing in the future

The Western General Bodywork Group has a strong focus on training, evidenced by their vigorous pursuit of I-CAR Gold Class accreditation for all its shops. The group believes training not only hones the latest technical skills but also instils a proactive learning culture.

A look at the accreditation of the Western General Bodyworks Group, including as a Tesla Approved Repairer along with BMW, Porsche, Subaru and now Xpeng, shows this commitment to prestige brands and staying up with the most modern technology. Danny explains that he believes in backing up this support to develop staff by

investing in the best equipment.

“Our training is really important, it’s imperative, and we have about 250 staff now,” he says.

“We also have other guys who have been with us for over 20 years and they’re good guys, and when it comes to equipment, if they want the best equipment, I buy the best equipment.

“The training is one thing, but the equipment makes it a lot easier too and, without doubt, Car-O-Liner is the best.”

Danny believes the quality and the efficiency of the equipment is so widely recognised across the industry that it also means most workers are familiar with it.

“In Australia, it’s like every panel beater that has worked for a panel shop knows how to use it. It’s like giving someone a microwave; they just press start/30 seconds. Every worker knows how to use it from start to finish. They are very robust and simple to use”

Team support

All this adds up to a valuable business investment for Danny and he has had the support of Car-O-Liner all along the journey .

“And they are really patient with me,” he says. “When you spend that kind of money it can make you a bit nervous too, but everything they’ve sold me, it’s made my shops more productive and more profitable.”

“They are a pricey item, like a Rolls Royce, but then it comes with a reason why it’s so good.”

Car-O-Liner’s back up support extends to expert advice and problem solving and Danny is glowing about the help he gets from the team, including Australian chief Julie Thomas.

“Julie’s is a lady in the industry but she’s better than most blokes I’ve ever met in life,” he says. “She’s top of her game. And all the staff I deal with on a Melbourne base or Australia-wide base are really good. It’s indicative that she’s got the best people working for her.”

From this team, Danny singles out Car-O-Liner’s Vic/NT sales manager

“Lindsay is my superstar,” he says.

“If I rang him up now and said, ‘Lindsay this is really urgent, come right now, the machine is not working.’ He would be out there in half an hour.”

He says this level of support has developed over the years into a loyal business partnership.

“If I ever have a baby I am going to call them Lindsay Carolina,” he jokes.

“But I’m not kidding, they really are next level to deal with.”

Our business is building your business.

Lindsay Batten for the support he has shown.

Image:

WGBG

Car-O Liner has helped add to the efficiency and profitability of leading repair MSO Western General Bodyworks Group.

High-tech abrasives

In the fast-paced world of the automotive aftermarket, precision, durability, and innovation are non-negotiable.

Saint-Gobain Abrasives, through its powerhouse brands Norton and Farecla, delivers cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving demands of vehicle repair, restoration, and customisation across Australia and New Zealand.

Saint-Gobain’s abrasive technologies are engineered for excellence in cutting,

leader under the Saint-Gobain umbrella, Norton offers a comprehensive range of abrasives tailored for the automotive sector. Its cutting and grinding wheels, sanding discs and surface preparation solutions are designed to improve productivity, reduce dust, and deliver consistent cool surface finishes. Norton’s commitment to innovation ensures that body shops and repair centres can work faster, cleaner, and more efficiently.

SG_NCR0925_Ad_Half_HR.pdf 1 9/09/2025 11:57:28 AM

The complete business

Sometimes the glitter of an awards ceremony doesn’t reveal what really makes a business tick. Chris and Fiona Bourke have won more than their share of awards but at heart it is their principles, energy and determination that have built a successful regional repair business.

Chris describes what he calls a gut feeling when it comes to some of the key decisions he has made over his long career in collision repair.

And with partner Fiona, this has led to some major success in the 25 years of growth at the multi award-winning Complete Body Craft in Rutherglen, Victoria.

But as many business owners would know, some of these decisions have been difficult and fraught with risk; like the first bold step into going out on your own.

“I had come out of an apprenticeship in Rutherglen at the local Holden dealer and being a local too, got to know a lot of local people,” Chris explains.

“I had worked for a large smash repair business in Wodonga, and learned how to use straightening body equipment, because the car dealership never had any of that equipment in those days. I got the experience, and then moved on to a shop in Corowa, and ran that for eight years, and had two or three apprentices come through under me.

“And then I thought, You know what? I reckon it’s time to give this a crack myself.

“I was 30 and we decided to start Complete Body Craft. But in those early days, we’d just built a house and Fiona was pregnant with our first child. And I can tell you, for the first few years I was pretty bloody nervous.”

Pathways to growth

But as Chris and Fiona know, success prompts growth and presents fresh challenges.

“When we got going, we were just renting a little shed, and we just outgrew it,” Chris says.

“We went gangbusters. All the locals supported us and followed us, and then I transitioned into doing heavy vehicles, which is what I sort of always wanted to do, but the old premises just didn’t have the capacity to do that.

“We purchased a block of land down the road, with the vision to build a facility on there, and then, lo and behold, there’s a property next door to the vacant block of land that we had come up for sale. So, we grabbed that as well. The old debt just went up and up pretty quick!”

The gradual development of this integrated complex at Complete Body Craft took many years but the Bourke’s explain there were also many constants they adhered to during the long journey.

Building reputation

“Fiona and I both being locally born and bred, that was the big plus to start with,” Chris says.

“But moving on, I think quality of work and customer service is the main thing that keeps you in a good stead.

“It’s the same old story, it takes a long time to get a good name, but not very long to get a bad one.”

Fiona explains that reputation must be built not only on the quality of individual jobs but an ongoing philosophy of a commitment to service.

“When Chris worked at the shop in Corowa, a lot of people had got to know him in that time while he was there. The business then followed Chris. Repeat business, which was obviously, all to do with quality and care,” she says.

But Fiona says this needs to be actively replicated with their whole team of 22 staff, from the old hands to the new apprentices.

“That’s part of the training,” Fiona says. “With the young apprentices we get in, we’ve taught them and told them how Chris and I respect people’s

Chris and Fiona Bourke have worked hard for decades and the industry accolades are a satisfying recognition of their dedication.

our own.

“We always pass that thought on, and ensure it is part of their mindset. It just comes down to that 100 per cent of quality. A hit and miss repair or paint job is not going to cut it. Do it right the first time and if you need that bit longer to do it right. Well, that’s how we’ll do it.”

Chris highlights how quality checks of the work then become a vital part of ensuring this intent converts into the completed work.

“If it’s not 100 per cent, it doesn’t go out the door,” he says. “You let the customer know that there’s an issue, or we’re not happy with some part of the repair and they respect that. The car stays for an extra day or so and they’d prefer that than have it not right.”

Training is key

To ensure this commitment to quality Complete Body Craft has a long and developed history of training and skills development. They utilise I-CAR Australia’s modules and the training programs of the paint companies to ensure staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques.

“We’ve sent painters to training centres in Sydney and Melbourne over the years just to try and keep up with it, but we have a good relationship with our paint companies. They come in regularly and often spend a week with us if we need to brush up on things. You have got to be able to use what they’re offering.”

A proactive approach to training at

evolving automotive technology and the changing nature of the car parc.

They have got in early with EV training and have a group on the staff who are up to date with the specialised training and this helps with an increasing number of the alternative vehicles they are seeing in Rutherglen.

“We’ve just done a couple of Nissan LEAFs,” Chris says. “They’ve got a plug in set up on them, and we’ve had to remove and refit that particular part of the car to be able to do a front-end collision. But it’s all doable stuff, if you’ve

learning is reciprocated with a passion from the staff, and a flexibility and appetite for the increasing sophistication of new technology and changing techniques.

“The other guys, especially the younger ones, they love it. They love a challenge. And even the painters. Some of these new paints that are on these cars are six, seven or eight different applications for one colour. And they take it and run with it.”

Fiona highlights fostering this enthusiasm is also about leading by example.

Images: Complete Body Craft

Chris Bourke recieves yet another award for Complete Body Craft.

The team at Complete Body Craft in Rutherglen are dedicated to quality repairs.

passionate,” she says. “And I think Chris’ confidence and in trusting them, washes onto them and that gives them the confidence to move forward and try these sophisticated new cars and tricky techniques.”

Keeping good staff longer

For Chris and Fiona this involvement is important for the whole team. They believe developing this passion, is one of the keys to retaining apprentices and

bit repetitive but with our apprentices, for instance, they jump right in. They’re not hanging off a broom or just washing cars for the first year. From their first jobs, I get them right into it and try and keep them interested in the trade. You need to mix it up a bit. They’re not just doing little dings but big jobs as well, from the start. I think that that makes a big difference. And it shows in their trade school training as well.”

When it comes to staff engagement,

workplace, they have a bit of fun and a bit of banter,” Chris says. “They don’t just get in at eight o’clock, and don’t talk to each other until 4.30 and then you go home. I like to see them having a bit of fun and a few laughs and jokes, and long as it’s, fair and reasonable. They’re all good friends.”

Personal love

When it comes to his own particular interests, Chris says this was what prompted him to diversify the business in 2006 into truck body repairs.

“I always had a passion for heavy vehicles,” he says. “I just loved trucks. My dad drove them and I just wanted to challenge myself, to be able to repair these big monsters.”

The proximity of Rutherglen to the Hume Freeway and major transport hubs nearby in Wodonga and Wangaratta, makes Rutherglen an ideal central hub for this work and their reputation has spread to Melbourne and other centres.

Chris Bourke has loved the honour of the awards but still counts a job well -done as one of the greatest satisfactions of collision repair.

Complete Body Craft has been built up from a small single shed workshop in Rutherglen.

Award winning

Complete Body Craft has an enviable trophy cabinet and multiple awards to its credit including the best regional repair business in the recent VACC awards.

And while they love the recognition for their and the team’s hard work, they still return to the basic satisfaction of what has kept them going for decades.

“We’re pretty passionate about what we’re doing, and we love the industry,” Chris says. “So the accolades are good, but you can’t beat a customer when they pick their vehicle up. Whether it be a truck or a car that’s come in on a tow truck and it goes out

looking like a new one. That’s a high.”

But the 25 years at Complete Body Craft hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Sometimes the blows a business experiences are incidental, like the floods of January 2022, which brought 100 cms of rain to Rutherglen in four hours.

“The storm water and the drainage systems couldn’t keep u. We had over a foot of water right through our whole workshop,” Chris recalls.

“We lost pretty much a full week of not being able to trade. The water went pretty quickly but then we had to rebuild the whole workshop because it’s a brick building and the water undermined the

footings. It took 18 months to have our shed rebuilt. We couldn’t work in areas that we normally would because, we had construction workers trying to repair our shed while we were still working.”

“It wiped out all our security fences, the whole lot, they had to be replaced. There was a lot of bits and pieces of damage,” Fiona says.

But she reflects on the same spirit of challenge that helps them pick themselves up again.

“You say to yourself, ‘Well it’s happened, let’s run with it. Let’s do what we have to do to get through it.’”

Just some of the awards from Complete Body Craft’s trophy cabinet.

Uncertain times

Sometimes the risk of running a successful business comes with serious investment and the strain of uncertainty. One of the low points they relate from their early days was the delay and frustration at becoming a recommended repairer for insurers, even after they had made considerable investment in equipment and skills development.

“The insurance companies came back to us and said. ‘You’ve got that inverter spot, welder, you’ve got the chassis alignment machine but because you’re in regional area, population is not huge, the volumes of vehicles on the road is not huge, we just don’t think that you’re right fit to be one of our selected repairers.’

“We’d spent all this money to do their work, and we know we can do their work, but they wouldn’t have us.”

But their commitment to quality and service won through eventually and they got the recommendations that brought with it the flow of work.

Hands to do the work

The rapid influx of more work came with challenges, including the shortage of skilled workers that were available, often felt acutely in the regions.

“We ended up going and bringing some offshore guys over,” Chris says. “We have three Filipinos here, and we’ve got another one that’s coming next month, and that’s been the best thing ever. They has just been a breath of fresh air.

“Accommodation, housing was a bit of a challenge, but we ended up pulling that one off. We got them in two houses.

They just come with two bags. They have no tools or furniture, obviously, so we had to furnish them. But anyway, I’d do it again tomorrow if I had to, because they’re just such good workers.”

Industry legacy

One of the other outcomes of their thriving workplace is developing workers to a level of skill and passion that they too are willing to take on the risk of starting their own businesses, a legacy the Bourkes are proud of.

“I take my hat off to anyone who wants to have a go at any business in this day and age, because it’s not easy,” Chris says

“I’m proud of the fellas that we’ve had that have worked for us and have now got their own businesses, and we’re really good friends with them and their families,” Fiona says. “And like Chris said, it’s not easy at all being in business and then juggling other things of your life. But we are so proud that we’ve had a

crack it, because it’s better to have a go rather than later in your life you end up saying. ‘I wish I’d tried that.’ and then you haven’t done it. You’ve got to have a go.”

State of the repair industry

What they both believe is their own commitment to quality is shared around many parts of the industry and this bodes well for its future.

“I think the industry is probably in one of the better positions that it has been for a long time now,” Chris says.

“The repairers that have closed the doors or are not doing the work anymore, have done that for a reason, or they haven’t been able to comply with the insurance company criteria.

“But I think the vehicles that get repaired today are getting repaired by some of the best repairers in Australia because they’ve got to be the best repairers to be able to produce the levels of work that the insurance companies are asking of us.”

The team at Complete Body Craft work hard but also know how to enjoy themselves.

Driving innovation

Renowned for software development that is focussed on efficient, customerdriven solutions for business, iBodyshop is now setting its sights on the future.

Australia’s leading bodyshop management system, iBodyshop, is charging ahead with bold plans for growth, innovation, and industry transformation, both locally in Australia, and abroad. To fuel this next phase of expansion, Nash Capital has stepped in as a strategic investor, creating new opportunities for development and technological advancement.

Steve O’Brien, Managing Director of Clear21, the company behind iBodyshop, says the investment opens a new chapter in the company’s journey.

“I’m excited to speed up the pipeline of innovation that we plan to bring to market,” O’Brien explains. “Now, with Nash’s expertise and investment, we can match the required resources with our vision for the Australian and international markets.”

A legacy of continuous improvement

For more than 35 years, many of iBodyshop’s customers have relied on its suite of tools. According to O’Brien, the company’s philosophy has always been about investment back into the product, ensuring its customers never feel the need to look elsewhere.

“By aiming to bring a continual stream of improvements to the market, our goal has been to ensure our customers never need to look for a ‘better’ solution,” O’Brien says. “We’ve consistently invested our profits into upgrades, new features, and complete rewrites that enhance performance and productivity for users.”

This customer-first focus will remain at the core of everything developed at Clear21, driving the company to become the go-to solution provider in Australia and abroad. As traction increases overseas, particularly in the UK collision repair market, Clear21 is already making its presence felt.

More innovation for Australia

For its Australian customer base, iBodyshop’s expansion means one thing: greater innovation at home. Among the newest developments is the return of the Last Known List Price, now included across all subscription tiers with no

additional charges. This feature helps repairers quickly make critical new, used, or repair part decisions with accuracy and efficiency.

O’Brien highlights how the company is leveraging AI and advanced technology to make these features even more powerful:

“With advancements in AI and emerging technologies, we’ve developed a more precise parts list derived from our parts catalogues. This delivers consistent, reliable coverage that will only improve over time. The real benefit is giving repairers instant, accurate insights that support smarter decisions on the spot.”

Raising the bar in efficiency

Haydn Tomlinson, Head of Product at Clear21, points to another exciting innovation soon to launch for iBodyshop users: Online Payment Support. This new functionality allows repairers to send customers a secure link to pay

invoices online, automatically receipting the transaction back into iBodyshop.

“This is just another way we’re giving our customers more efficiency while helping shops deliver a seamless experience to their end-customers,” Tomlinson says.

Looking ahead

With Nash Capital’s investment strengthening its vision, iBodyshop is poised to not only raise the industry standards in Australia but also to redefine standards globally. AI projects currently in the pipeline for iBodyshop include AI Estimating from images, AI-assisted accounting, AI-assisted support, and AIassisted training - the company is making it clear: this is just the beginning of a new era for bodyshop management software.

For long-time customers and new markets alike, iBodyshop’s commitment remains unchanged - continual innovation, tangible efficiency gains, and helping repairers stay ahead of the curve.

Images: iBodyshop

Software features like the Last Known List Price help repairers make informed and efficient parts decisions.

The Nash Group support has meant iBodyshop can develop new areas of innovation including in AI.

Building the case for genuine parts

Repair shop owners are often faced with a dilemma when tempted to use aftermarket or parallel parts. Are they willing to save costs in exchange for exposure to potential risks? The decision needs to be made with a full understanding of the implications for safety, durability, fit and future-proofing. Nissan makes the case clear.

What Nissan Genuine Parts bring to any repair is certainty that the parts fitted are purpose-built for the vehicle.

For collision repairers who want the best possible outcome for every repair job, this is a lot more than reassuring. Nissan Genuine Parts bring with them the commitment to safety, durability and quality that has become a hallmark of the Nissan brand.

Genuine parts are just that - genuine items made by the OEM with the same rigorous attention to testing and quality control as the original vehicle. This means it is not just in the workshop that they can make a difference but also in the performance and lifespan of the vehicle.

Safe vehicles after every repair

“One area of reassurance for both the repairer and the owner is that Nissan Genuine Parts deliver the

same standards, experience and collective expertise of a global vehicle manufacturer,” says John Galvin, Nissan General Manager for TCS & Engineering.

“These are the parts they want in their vehicles to meet the standards of that brand.”

Nissan uses its automotive engineering expertise to develop genuine parts that are manufactured with knowledge accumulated across design iterations, operational data, and testing cycles. These parts are the result of engineering decisions that define

Nissan brings the same high standards to every genuine part that it does to the completed vehicle. A QASHQAI body side being inspected at the Nissan Sunderland Press Shop

Quality checking of panels at Nissan Sunderland Body Shop.

Images: Nissan

performance and safety and help ensure that any repair brings the vehicle back as close as possible to its new condition.

“A part’s shape and material is designed specifically to work in conjunction with safety systems that are themselves designed for the Australian vehicle program,” he says.

A genuine bumper, for instance, is designed with a specific material and exact shape to ensure the active safety systems of a vehicle dependent on cameras and sensors, are not obstructed or affected, either directly or through transmissivity of the material.

A clear picture of safety

Additionally, the use of genuine parts for auto glass and headlights, helps ensure these advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are working exactly as intended and expected by the driver.

“The glass is important, and particularly the windscreen”, John says. “Most of our newer vehicles, where they incorporate the radar as

certainty to repairers and owners.

Nissan conducts durability validation testing as part of the vehicle program and the genuine parts fitted on the assembly line are part of this standard.

“We have on-road testing and a durability rig which tests the car in different conditions to assess durability,” Galvin says.

“These same genuine parts are the parts you will buy – meaning they have been subject to the same level of testing.”

Critically, this durability testing directly influences vehicle design with Nissan setting higher severity ratings for its SUVs and LCVs due to Australia’s uniquely tough motoring conditions.

Long term solution versus short-term fix

Tight budgets and the urgency of turnover can prompt workshops to consider substitute parts but the decision to use Nissan Genuine Parts

brings known compatibility and peace of mind long after the vehicle has left the workshop.

The contrast in potential repair outcomes between genuine and nongenuine parts could mean that whatever initial cost may be saved with a nongenuine part, may turn out to be a false economy if there are long term costs associated with imperfect fit, poor safety or reduced durability. If Nissan Genuine Parts can remove the potential risk and uncertainty that alternative parts bring to a repair, the tested durability of Nissan Genuine Parts can also add longevity. In this way they can bring more substantial value to the repair process than only considering the item price.

Repairers pride themselves on doing the job right. With Nissan Genuine Parts they are partnering with an OEM that shares the same objective and has made the investment in safety and durability, to help ensure each part delivers what a good repair demands.

Nissan Genuine Parts gives greater

Ensuring certainty in every genuine part, Nissan implements a rigorous regime of inspections.

A workforce for the future

New EVs on our roads had a record sales quarter this year. If numbers still seem small, they are a growing proportion of the car parc and the automotive future. So, it’s only time before they become a standard appearance in repair workshops. EVs are changing the industry and as the MTA NSW’s Collin Jennings explores, it needs to be ready for them.

The automotive sector has always been defined by change, but the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) represents one of the most significant shifts we’ve ever faced. What was once seen as a distant possibility is now part of our everyday reality, with EVs increasingly rolling into workshops across the country.

This transition brings enormous opportunity, but also responsibility. If our industry is to meet the moment, we need to make sure our workforce is ready. The transformation required goes far deeper than simply swapping out combustion engines for batteries. We’re witnessing a fundamental shift in the skills, training, and mindset needed to service and repair the vehicles of tomorrow.

High-voltage EV systems present unique risks, and without the right training, workers can be exposed to serious danger. For consumers, confidence in the safety and quality of repairs will be essential if EV sales are to continue their upward trajectory.

At the heart of this transformation lies a non-negotiable priority: ensuring our workforce is properly trained so that workers remain safe and consumers have complete confidence in EV repair and servicing.

This reality demands that we raise our standards across the board. We cannot allow the lowest common denominator to become our industry benchmark. The confidence of consumers and the safety

of drivers must be paramount if we want to see continued EV adoption and growth in this sector.

New South Wales is leading this charge with the introduction of a new EV licence class currently being implemented. As the peak industry body for NSW’s automotive sector, MTA NSW has been the leading voice from industry in constructing this licence framework and determining how it will operate in practice. Once commenced, this system will ensure we have a well-skilled workforce capable of meeting the technical demands of electric vehicle servicing.

However, licensing is just the beginning. We need to ensure that skills development in EVs continues to evolve, and it needs to be done in concert with the repair sector. Battery chemistry is advancing, charging systems are becoming more sophisticated, and autonomous driving features are becoming standard. Our training programs must keep pace with these developments, and quickly.

This evolution also presents an unprecedented opportunity for our industry to demonstrate its transformation from traditional blue-collar work to high-tech, precision-focused careers. Today’s automotive technician is as likely to be troubleshooting software bugs as they are to be diagnosing mechanical issues. This shift opens up exciting

career pathways and helps attract a new generation of talent to our industry.

For automotive leaders across Australia, the message is clear: investment in training, both for apprentices and existing workforce upskilling, is a business imperative. The workshops and service centres that recognise this reality and act on it now will be the ones that thrive in the EV era.

This means partnering with training providers to develop comprehensive EV training programs, investing in the necessary equipment and facilities to provide hands-on experience with high-voltage systems, and creating clear career progression pathways that recognise the enhanced skill sets required for EV servicing.

The automotive industry has always been one of adaptation and innovation. From the introduction of fuel injection to the adoption of computerised diagnostics, our sector has consistently evolved to meet new technological challenges. The EV transition represents perhaps the most significant of these changes, but it’s one our industry is well-equipped to handle, provided we commit to the necessary training and skill development.

The future of automotive work is more STEM-focused, technologically sophisticated, and exciting than ever before. The question isn’t whether EVs will reshape our industry, because they already are. The question is whether

High-voltage EV systems pose unique risks, so training is key to working safely with them.

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.

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

How it works

Here’s how Smart Receipting simplifies everything:

• 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.

The vital conduit

It’s been three years since the ground-breaking legislation that sought to give repairers better access to up-to-date OEM repair information.

AASRA’s Joe McFadries looks at what the law is and why it matters.

As I move around the industry, whether delivering formal presentations, participating in panel discussions, or catching up with repairers one-onone, I am continually surprised by the number of independent repairers who are still unclear about the Right to Repair legislation. This is especially surprising given that the Motor Vehicle Information Sharing (MVIS) scheme has now completed its third year under the stewardship of the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA).

Why am I so surprised? Ironically, in August 2022, the National Collision Repairer and several other publications across both the collision and mechanical sectors published a press release from the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) which stated: “Independent workshops across Australia started a new chapter this month thanks to a transformational law that promotes a fair and level playing field in the automotive service and repair industry and ensures consumers have a choice of repairer.”

The release also noted that joining

AASRA provides workshops with a single location to easily and quickly access all participating manufacturer portals, covering around 90 per cent of the vehicles sold in Australia.

So, despite the extensive coverage in 2022, it seems appropriate to provide a refresher.

What’s it all about?

This ground-breaking legislation is wide-ranging, but at its core it ensures that all repairers can access the OEM information required to complete a mechanical service or repair, or a collision repair, on any post-2002 passenger or light commercial vehicle. This includes software updates such as those needed to connect a new part to the vehicle, full diagnostic scans, and access to security codes for vehicles’ computerised systems.

AASRA was appointed Scheme Adviser to oversee the day-to-day operation of the scheme. Three years on, service and repair procedures for 87 per cent of vehicles on Australian roads remain accessible through the

AASRA website. While workshops must still pay for manufacturers’ information, the legislation guarantees that this information is available at a fair market rate, something AASRA actively monitors.

This may sound straightforward, but as with many things, the devil is in the detail. Each manufacturer has its own systems and processes for accessing information. For the many “all makes, all models” repair businesses across the country, this can initially feel daunting. However, once you become familiar with the brands you deal with most often, the process quickly becomes second nature. It is also worth remembering that while many new brands have entered Australia in recent years, the ten most common brands still account for 78 per cent of all vehicles on the road.

Why the Right to Repair legislation is important

The importance of the Right to Repair legislation lies in the fact that it allows independent repairers to compete with dealer networks on a level playing field.

Images: AASRA

Diagnostics is a key aspect of the repair process.

According to the AAAA, before the MVIS was introduced, workshops were turning away an average of 20 vehicles per month due to a lack of access to information. Since the introduction of the scheme, this figure has dropped to 12 - a reduction of 40 per cent.

Workshops have also reported significant improvements in their customer relationships. 68 per cent said that increased access to detailed vehicle information has improved customer satisfaction, while 66 per cent reported that it has enhanced customer convenience.

Similarly, the Motor Trades Association of Australia recently highlighted that the MVIS represents a major step forward in supporting independent repairers’ access to essential service and repair information. Since its introduction, many workshops have reported easier access to service schedules and diagnostics, more consistent availability of digital records and programming functions, and the convenience of a single entry point across multiple manufacturers. These

for by the MTAA and its members in securing a nationally consistent right to access vehicle data.

What does this mean for you?

Quite simply, all the information available through the AASRA portal comes directly from the manufacturers’ own databases and is therefore live, genuine, and complete every time. This ensures that you can return a vehicle to its owner with the confidence that the repair has been carried out in line with the manufacturer’s authorised procedures. The alternative can be costly and dangerous. In 2017, US collision repairer John Eagle Collision, under instruction

panel rather than welding it as required by the manufacturer. The vehicle was involved in a subsequent collision, which left the occupants trapped, suffering severe injuries. The resulting lawsuit led to a US$42 million payout. Beyond the obvious moral obligation to follow the correct procedures, no repairer wants to be in that position.

The Right to Repair legislation ensures you have access to live, genuine, and complete repair procedures. The onus, however, is on you to use them. This is why this ground-breaking legislation matters so much.

For more information, contact AASRA on

Natasha Moustakas and Joe McFadries at AutoCare highlighting what AASRA can offer repairers.

Window on Safety

with Steven Theron

Beyond repair: SikaForce and Purform setting new standards

Tired of replacing damaged plastic parts? The SikaForce® Plastic Repair System is a game-changing solution for professional automotive repair shops and DIY enthusiasts alike. Powered by innovative Purform® technology, this system of adhesives and accessories provides a fast, strong, and sustainable way to fix everything from cracked bumpers to broken headlight clips.

The Purform® advantage: A smarter approach to performance

The secret to SikaForce’s superior performance lies in its patented Purform® technology. This isn’t just a catchy name—it’s a commitment to PURE, POLYURETHANE, and PERFORMANCE.

Traditional polyurethane adhesives use monomeric diisocyanates as a raw material. Purform® technology

significantly reduces this content, allowing us to create a product that delivers enhanced performance while meeting strict new European regulations.

The biggest advantage for you is this: because the monomeric diisocyanate content is below the 0.1% limit set by the European REACH regulation, professional users and workshops don’t need to complete the specific REACH training to handle these products. This saves

valuable time and resources, all while providing a high-quality, reliable repair.

Key benefits of the SikaForce System

Beyond its safety features, the SikaForce system offers a range of practical benefits that improve the repair process and the final result:

• Cost and Time Savings: Why replace a part when you can repair it? The SikaForce system saves you money and eliminates the time spent waiting for replacement parts. Repairs are completed quickly and on-site, getting you back on the road faster.

• Restore Original Appearance: This system allows you to easily rebuild and reshape plastic components, ensuring a high-quality finish that restores the part to its original look and function.

• Efficient and Durable: The adhesives are fast and easy to apply, and their multi-material bonding capability means you can fix a wide range of plastic types, from thermoplastics to thermosets.

• Eco-Friendly: By repairing instead of replacing, you reduce plastic waste and lower your carbon footprint. It’s a simple way to contribute to a more sustainable workshop.

The SikaForce product lineup

The SikaForce Plastic Repair System is a comprehensive solution with a full range of products, including adhesives,

High quality reliable finishes in plastic repairs are what every workshop wants and the new SikaForce system gives them the opportunity to deliver.

primers, cleaners, and other accessories. The two main adhesives are:

• SikaForce®-301 (Purform®): This fastcuring, two-component adhesive has a working time of 3.5 minutes and is sandable after just 30 minutes. It’s ideal for general plastic repairs, like mending cracks in a bumper. It’s overpaintable, won’t shrink, and has a 24-month shelf life.

• SikaForce®-302 (Purform®): Need a quick fix? This super-fast-curing adhesive has a working time of only 90 seconds and is sandable in just 10 minutes. Its quick-curing properties make it perfect for vertical applications and tasks that require rapid modelling, such as rebuilding a broken eyelet or a small clip. Complementing these adhesives are essential accessories like Sika® Cleaner G+P and SikaForce®-300 Primer, a clear, solvent-based adhesion promoter that ensures a strong bond on various plastics. You can also use Contouring Film and Reinforcement Mesh to help with shaping and reinforcing the repair area.

Common applications

The versatility of the SikaForce system makes it suitable for a wide range of applications:

• Automotive Workshops: Use it for bumper repair, rebuilding broken eyelets, recreating clips, bonding sensor holders, and closing sensor openings.

• A lternative Uses: This system is also perfect for RV and camper repair,

The bonding technique offers a key advantage over other repair methods: it provides a smooth, aesthetically pleasing finish, can be applied in a single shot to achieve the desired thickness, and reduces the risk of air pockets, ensuring a faster turnaround time.

includes adhesives, primers, cleaners, and other accessories.

For more information on the SikaForce Plastic Repair System or other Sika automotive solutions, contact Sika or visit their website at: www.sika.com/aftermarket.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before using any products.

motorcycle parts, home and hobby projects, and even fixing drones or climbing gear.

Images:

Sika

The SikaForce Plastic Repair System allows you to rebuild and reshape plastic components and ensure a high-quality finish.

The bonding technique gives a smooth finish and can be applied in a single shot to achieve desired thickness, ensuring a faster turnaround time.

The SikaForce Plastic Repair System

Powering to platinum

In an industry where skills are not just desirable but an essential tool that gives a business the competitive edge, the level of platinum carries prestige and value. Leading repair trainer I-CAR Australia has hit a major milestone, celebrating 1,300 Platinum Technicians.

A milestone for the Industry

I-CAR Australia is proud to announce a significant achievement in its mission to raise the standard of training and recognition within the collision repair industry. More than 1,300 technicians across the country have now reached I-CAR© Platinum Individual recognition – the highest individual training accreditation available in our industry.

This milestone is more than just a number. It represents the commitment, passion, and professionalism of the men and women working within the Australian collision repair sector. Each Platinum Technician has demonstrated not only their technical capability but also their dedication to ongoing learning, industry excellence, and the safety of every customer vehicle they repair.

Platinum: The benchmark of excellence

The I-CAR Platinum program is designed to recognise technicians who continually invest in their skills, stay current with the latest repair methods, and adapt to rapidly evolving vehicle technologies. Achieving Platinum is not a one-off event; it requires sustained learning, assessment, and professional development across multiple disciplines, from structural repair to refinishing, estimating, ADAS systems, and beyond.

For technicians, Platinum recognition isn’t just a credential – it’s a statement. It says, “I am committed to being the best at what I do.” It elevates them to the highest level of training within our industry, bringing with it respect, credibility, and prestige amongst peers.

Why 1,300 matters

When I-CAR Australia launched the Platinum program, the vision was clear: create a pathway where every technician, regardless of where they work, has the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and align with global standards of excellence.

Reaching 1,300 Platinum Technicians marks a turning point. It shows that the industry is embracing structured, recognised training as a non-negotiable part of collision repair. It means that more workshops across the country are staffed with technicians who carry the knowledge and skills to repair vehicles to manufacturer standards, ensuring safety and quality for customers.

And importantly, it sends a strong message to the rest of the industry: if 1,300 of your peers can achieve Platinum, you can too.

Don’t Miss Out

For those who haven’t yet begun their Platinum journey, the time is now. The collision repair industry is evolving faster than ever. Vehicle construction, electrification, advanced driver assistance systems, and complex materials are reshaping how we repair cars. Customers, insurers, and

OEMs are all raising their expectations. By achieving Platinum, you are future proofing your career. You are placing yourself in the top tier of technicians nationwide. And you are showing your peers, your employer, and your customers that you are not just keeping up – you are leading the way.

So, ask yourself: What’s stopping you from becoming an I-CAR Platinum Master Technician and joining this unique group of industry leaders?

The prestige of platinum

Beyond the technical training, Platinum recognition carries with it a sense of pride and achievement. It’s something tangible – a benchmark that your colleagues, employers, and the broader industry recognise and respect.

When you achieve Platinum, you join a community of professionals who are shaping the future of collision repair. You earn the admiration of your peers, the trust of your customers, and the confidence of insurers and OEMs who know their vehicles are in safe hands.

The

road ahead

As I-CAR Australia celebrates the 1,300th Platinum Technician, we are committed to supporting every technician who wants to take the next step. Whether you’re an estimator, structural repairer, non-structural specialist, or refinisher, the pathway is open to you.

The journey requires effort and

Platinum is more than recognition – it’s

one. It’s about raising the bar for yourself, your workshop, and the entire industry.

Images:

I-CAR

The Platinum level recognises technicians who continually invest in their skills and adapt to rapidly evolving vehicle technologies.

I-CAR trainers are skilled at bringing technicians to the next level.

Gold standard partnerships

Big or small, repair businesses can be instrumental in shaping the next generation of collision talent. WorldSkills Australia Gold medallist Jack Richards shows no matter how niche the business, with the right support and relationships, the sky is the limit for our best young apprentices.

Mentoring is a valuable part of many young careers in automotive repair, but few can demonstrate as close a relationship as the one Jack Richards enjoys at Sydney Classic Car Restoration. With owner Grant Browan, they make up a two-man team that specialises in hand crafted repairs at the business in Connabarabran.

Ironically, despite having had a love of cars since an early age, it wasn’t a career path Jack had taken active steps toward until his mother asked him to help an uncle who was assisting in the business moving into town.

“I’d just finished school and my mother sent me around to help him unload trailers and set up all the gear that Grant’s got,” Jack recalls.

“And he put me on from there and began showing me all the stuff he can do. And I thought, ‘I like doing that’, so I stuck with it and he gave me an apprenticeship.”

Jack will go into fourth year of his panel technician apprenticeship in November and recalls the first years were a steep learning curve but years that progressed in an atmosphere of support, where he was never afraid to ask.

“There was a lot to pick up at the time, but Grant’s made it pretty easy for me,” Jack says.

“He always gives me the time to show me how to do stuff, and if I don’t know something, I just go and ask him. He puts down whatever he’s doing and shows me how to do it.”

This support includes the invariable mistakes that newcomers are likely to make.

“When I was in first year, I was trying to

Images: Jack Richards

Winning the gold medal in the Autobody class at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in June.

Jack’s initial foray into WorldSkills competitions was also done with the assistance of MTA NSW, who signed him up for a regional competition, where his performance was so impressive he was soon heading to the National Championship in Brisbane in June.

“I’ve never been away to very many places, so to go somewhere that far away for a competition and then end up winning. It was pretty bloody cool.”

Jack says the WorldSkills Australia National Championships’ atmosphere was a fabulous experience in honing his own skills but learning from many of the other competitors in automotive.

Hard at work during the competition.

A great partnership exists between apprentice Jack Richards and mentor Grant Browan at Sydney Classic Car Restoration.

panel repair and then goes to them.”

He says the level of competition can be initially intimidating but the excitement of doing things well should be encouraged for all young skilled apprentices.

“It’s definitely worth the risk and getting entered into things. I’d encourage anybody to do that.”

After his win in Brisbane in the Autobody section, Jack has been selected to train with the Skillaroos squad and will now aim to win a place on the international team and compete in Shanghai in 2026. The WorldSkills

thing. I’m sure I’ll give it my best shot.”

While the competition is a thrilling part of the job, Jack is most often motivated by an artisan’s satisfaction in a job well done.

“It’s always good, you see what you’ve done and how well you’ve done the job. That makes you feel pretty good.”

Opening pathways

He hopes more young people will tap into the pleasure of working with their hands, at the same time filling essential roles.

“It would be great for them to learn and find out how helpful a skill is to have,

“It seems to be that a lot of jobs are sort of getting taken over by AI but you can’t really do that in this industry. With skills, you’re never going to be out of a job.

For the present, Jack is concentrating on completing his apprenticeship. It has been a four-year journey where he highlights the support he has had from the MTA NSW, ensuring his training is complete and up to date.

“They’ve been very supportive and make it pretty easy for me,” he says.

But even when this is complete, he is in no hurry to rush off from Sydney

Some of the highlights of the classic cars Jack is exposed to at Sydney Classic Car Restoration.

The SMART way in SA

Capital SMART Repairs has officially opened its new multi-million-dollar Wingfield facility in Adelaide, raising the bar for efficiency, innovation, and customer experience in collision repair.

Purpose-built to meet the changing needs of both drivers and insurers, Wingfield is designed to solve complex drivable repairs and manage a broad spectrum of accident damage. By integrating advanced repair, paint, and drying technologies, the facility streamlines vehicle movement through each stage of repair, reducing handling and enabling faster, more consistent outcomes.

“Wingfield represents a significant investment in smarter systems and processes,” said David Chin. “It supports our teams to deliver more efficient workflows, helps us adapt to the changing mix of work we see every day, and ensures drivers and insurers benefit from improved turnaround times and enhanced service experiences.”

Innovation in every step

At over 4,000m², the Wingfield site has been engineered with operational flow

technology work seamlessly together to reduce delays and maximise productivity. The Glasurit 100 Line lowVOC paint system, LED lighting, a waterrecycling wash bay, and EV charging stations all underscore SMART’s commitment to sustainability while preparing for the transition to emerging vehicle technologies.

Designed around customers

While Wingfield delivers future-ready infrastructure, it also ensures customers and insurers have access to the right facilities in the right locations. With convenient access, dedicated service areas, and transparent communication at every stage of repair, the new site strengthens SMART’s reputation for providing a customer experience built on trust, convenience, speed and quality.

Strengthening the South

The SMARTER: Wingfield Facility

• Multi-million-dollar investment

• 4 ,000m² purpose-built site

• Advanced booth and drying technology

• G lasurit 100 Line low-VOC paint system

• Sustainability features: LED lighting, water recycling, EV charging

existing South Australian sites at Holden Hill and Mile End, expanding accessibility and creating new trade and apprenticeship opportunities for the community.

“This is about building more than a new workshop,” added Chin. “It’s about creating infrastructure that delivers for customers, empowers our people, and reinforces SMART as the trusted partner of choice for the industry.”

Shaping the Future of Repairs

• Smarter job flows reduce handling & turnaround times

• Designed for more complex drivable repairs

• Enhanced customer and insurer experience

• Stronger local accessibility with three SA sites

The team at Capital SMART Wingfield’s new state-of-the-art facility.

The new repair booths at the Wingfield facility.

Low female rate a skills block

New data has highlighted a missed opportunity to fill the extensive skills shortage in automotive trades, with only one in forty roles taken up by women.

Data released by the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance reveals that women represent only 20 per cent of the automotive workforce, and within this only 2.6 per cent in automotive and engineering trade roles.

The research lands as the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) estimates the industry is short of almost 40,000 technicians.

That gap comprises 27,000 qualified technicians and 13,500 apprentices, leaving workshops across the country struggling to keep pace with demand.

According to the Job Services Australia Skills Priority List, almost 35 per cent of key automotive occupations are flagged as being in shortage.

AAAA CEO, Stuart Charity says women remain a largely untapped resource within the industry.

“We know that increasing female participation isn’t just a matter of equity—it’s a practical and urgent response to near-term labour shortages. Even a modest rise in the number of women enrolling in automotive trades could make a substantial difference.”

“We aren’t pointing fingers—this is about partnership, opportunity, and readiness for change. AAAA is committed to supporting initiatives

that bridge gender gaps—through promotion, training access, career visibility, and creating inclusive, flexible work environments. Addressing skills shortages goes hand in hand with harnessing female talent,” says Charity.

A separate report from Impact Economics and Policy for Chief Executive Women, research found that increasing women’s participation could generate up to one million full-time equivalent workers nationally.

The AAAA hopes to bridge the difference by:

• Championing recognition and funding for female automotive apprenticeships and vocational training.

• Collaborating with initiatives like AAAA Women

• M entorship and leadership pathways

• Recruitment actively encouraging women into trade-based roles.

“Our goal is clear: to strengthen our workforce, build a sustainable future, and reflect the communities Australia serves. Expanding women’s participation in our trade pipelines is not just fair—it’s vital.”

Roadkill writes off one in five vehicles

The frequency of animal strikes continues to write off one in five cars, new insurance data has found.

AAMI insurance has released new data on car accidents involving wildlife on regional roads nationwide. In NSW and Victoria, the winter months of June and July are the worst for animal strikes partly due to short daylight hours and winter road conditions.

Analysis of 23,840 claims received last financial year highlights a need for increased driver awareness on country roads, particularly between dawn and dusk as nocturnal wildlife becomes more active and visibility decreases.

One in five of these crashes with wildlife (18 per cent) resulted in a total

write-off, with the average damage bill around $8,000.

Like an earlier RACV report focussing on Victoria, kangaroos are the biggest culprit and animal numbers in nondrought periods and particularly in peri-urban areas, relate directly to the frequency of the strikes.

Data also revealed Friday to be the worst day of the week for animal collisions, most likely due to increased activity on the roads as people travel for weekends with Victoria recording the highest number of animal collisions, totalling 7,851 accidents between July 1st 2024 and June 31st 2025.

AAMI Executive General Manager Motor Claims Customer Tim Buckett says the

alarming stats highlight the importance for awareness on country roads.

“These figures show the serious and often costly consequences of wildlife collisions on our country roads.”

“Not only do these accidents pose a significant risk to motorists and their vehicles, but they also have a tragic impact on our native wildlife.”

“We urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution, especially when driving during dawn and dusk, and in known wildlife areas.”

The most common animals involved in collisions are kangaroos. With wallabies, wombats, deer, dogs, cows, emus, pigs, foxes, and rabbits also cited by the leading insurer as fauna to avoid.

Image: AAAA

Female workers are a largely untapped resource in automotive.

More success for Nissan casting plant

success story has been recognised as a significant contributor to community and business.

The Nissan Casting Australia Plant in Melbourne’s southeast has won the 2025 Excellence in Manufacturing Award by the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce.

The Nissan Casting Australia Plant employs 192 people and is the global sole supplier for 40 different components that are used in vehicles including the Nissan LEAF, X-Trail and Patrol.

NCAP General Manager Markus Spindler and Toolroom and GK Manager Carlos Pereira Da Silva accepted the

the Chamber’s annual Business Awards Gala Dinner.

“This award is a testament to the incredible dedication, innovation and hard work that each member of our team brings every single day. Whether working on the factory floor, in the office, or supporting operations behind the scenes, every NCAP team member has contributed to this achievement,” Spindler says.

Research found the Australian Made symbol is one of the country’s most loved and recognised.

Managing Director of Nissan Oceania Andrew Humberstone says on top of

the recent Australia Made accreditation, it highlighted the success of the manufacturing operation.

“This Excellence in Manufacturing Award is well-deserved recognition of the team’s continued commitment to world-class manufacturing that supports both local jobs and Nissan’s global operations.” Humberstone says.

“NCAP demonstrates that Australian manufacturing can compete on the world stage. The plant’s evolution from traditional ICE components to cuttingedge EV and e-POWER technology shows how Australian innovation and expertise are helping drive the future of sustainable mobility,”

Roy Morgan research indicates 99 per cent of Australians recognise the Australian made logo and 91 per cent of Australians want to see more Australian Made products.

“This (Australian Made) certification will undoubtedly enhance your brand’s credibility and trust with customers who value genuine Australian products,” City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti says. “I have no doubt that this achievement will open new opportunities and help you continue to grow.”

The operation’s 1.2-million-part annual output includes high-pressure die-cast aluminium electric vehicle (EV), e-POWER, Final Drive and ICEengine components.

I-CAR Australia looks to the future

Australia’s leading collision repair trainer is gaining momentum with a new leadership structure and new corporate support.

I-CAR Australia has elevated Jason Trewin to Chief Executive Officer, after five years as Chief Operating Officer.

The training organisation made the CEO position redundant in 2020 as it underwent a restructure to deal with the impact Of COVID-19.

I-CAR Australia’s Board of Directors says realignment of CEO responsibilities was essential to position I-CAR Australia for its next phase.”

“His (Trewin’s) deep understanding of the collision repair industry, combined with his proven leadership and vision, makes him the right person to guide

I-CAR Australia into its next phase,” I-CAR Australia board chair Glenn O’Donnell says.

“We are equally proud of the commitment and expertise of the entire I-CAR team, whose passion and professionalism continue to set the benchmark in training and standards across the industry.”

Industry veteran, Trewin says he is honoured to take on the position.

“With the support of the board, management team, and above all our dedicated I-CAR team, I look forward to guiding the business into its next chapter. Our people are the heart of this organisation, and together we will continue delivering innovative, industry-leading training solutions

for the collision repair community.”

I-CAR Australia has also won the support of Mirka, a global leader in high-quality abrasives, sanding systems, and polishing solutions as it becomes corporate member with I-CAR Australia.

Trewin says he looks forward to working together toward common goals.

“Mirka’s reputation for innovation and excellence in abrasives and surface finishing makes them a valuable partner in our mission to raise industry standards,” Trewin says “We look forward to working together to support technicians and businesses across Australia.”

Mirka will gain access to I-CAR Australia’s extensive training programs, technical resources, and certification pathways.

The team at NCAP in Dandenong.

Image: Nissan

Road user charge a step closer

The future of the controversial road user charge remains in focus after state treasurers agreed solutions to the road funding gap should not undermine the EV transition.

In a combined statement, the state and federal treasurers say “reforms should be designed to not deter the continued take up of electric vehicles.”

The progress comes as the governments grapple with a decline in revenue from the fuel excise as more vehicles shift to alternative energy sources.

The Electric Vehicle Council, Australia’s chief body representing the EV industry, supported the statement in a media release shortly afterward.

“This commitment gives longneeded certainty and shows that EV adoption remains a national priority,” Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio says.

“This confirms that EV adoption is a national priority for Treasurers across the country and must be supported through sensible, future-focused reform.”

“This position sends a strong, positive signal to manufacturers, investors, and consumers that Australia is backing the growth of electric transport.”

Falling tax take

The fuel excise revenue has been decreasing over a significant period with the Treasury estimating it will account for 3.9 per cent of the total tax take in the

the 7.4 per cent tax take in the 19992000 financial year.

The reduction is in large part due to the increasing popularity of EVs, PHEVs and hybrids, all of which use less fuel and pay less toward government revenue.

According to the Australian Automobile Association’s quarterly review, EV sales made up 9.31 per cent of all new car sales in the last quarter.

While the Albanese government has consistently positioned itself as supportive of the EV transition, a road user charge remains likely.

Yet the Electric Vehicle Council urges the government to handle the transition in a way that doesn’t “stall the shift” in Australia’s transition to cleaner transport.

“It’s important that a road user charge for cars is well-designed and properlytimed; that means one charge must apply to all cars and it must only be introduced when 30 per cent of all new car sales are battery electric.”

Other bodies like the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries want the user charge to be energy agnostic and to eventually replace the fuel excise.

FCAI CEO Tony Weber says the time was right for a federally led road user charge as a part of broader tax reform in the sector.

“FCAI has long been a supporter of a nationally consistent road user charge that ultimately can be applied to all types of vehicles, not just EVs. As the

governments must support a smooth transition away from fuel excise. A road user charge is needed to provide an enduring revenue stream to support road and recharging infrastructure,” Weber says.

The treasurers meeting is expected to be the first in a series of ongoing negotiations as governments attempt to balance fiscal pressures with Australia’s broader transition to electric transport.

Attempts by the states to go it alone on a road user charge have been less successful. In 2023, the High Court of Australia found a Victorian road user tariff was unconstitutional and the government was forced to repay the fees.

Levels of acceptance

But some research highlights the public is not averse to the charge. Surveys conducted by the centre for Future Urban Mobility at Swinburne University of Technology found a majority of respondents (70 per cent in Sydney and 65 per cent in Melbourne) supported the introduction of measures to reduce traffic congestion in their respective cities.

The survey of almost 1000 motorists found respondents in both cities were most supportive of road-user charges if the revenue raised was used to improve public transport, with opposition to a road user charge falling to 20 per cent in Sydney and to 23 per

Surging cost ‘not reflected’ in fees decision

Cost pressures on tow truck drivers in Victoria are threatening their future, and more delays at crashes, a leading industry body warns.

A bid by the towing industry to raise accident towing fees has been rejected by the Essential Services Commission. It found current regulated towing and storage fees for the Melbourne controlled area were appropriate and “should not be changed beyond the annual adjustment mechanism”, along with an unchanged productivity adjustment factor.

But the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce says despite mounting evidence of unsustainable cost pressures facing the industry the fees will stay the same.

It warns Victorian motorists could

face significantly longer wait times for accident clearance and reduced service quality as operators abandon business and compromise road safety.

The ESC’s final report recommends only minor indexation increases to existing fee.

VACC CEO Peter Jones says it falls well short of addressing the financial realities confronting accident towing operators across metropolitan Melbourne.

“We are deeply concerned that this decision overlooks the genuine cost pressures our members are experiencing and may jeopardise the long-term sustainability of accident towing services in Victoria,” Jones says. “The ESC appears to have dismissed compelling evidence that demonstrates the current fee structure is no longer adequate to cover basic operational costs.”

The VACC’s comprehensive submission, supported by detailed economic analysis from Deloitte, highlighted significant cost increases since 2021: diesel fuel prices have risen by 34 per cent, insurance premiums have increased by 22 per cent, labour costs in the transport industry have grown by 26 per cent (double the average

Tariff ‘pressure’ for export parts sector

Australia’s lead aftermarket body is hoping an argument of quality will win out against the wall of US tariffs facing Australian made car parts.

Automotive parts made in Australia and shipped to the US have been caught up in Donald Trump’s trade wars that have inflicted heavy tariffs on imported goods since earlier in 2025, sending some economies into free fall.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association wants the Federal Government to prioritise trade talks around the 25 per cent tariff Australian automotive components are hit with.

The AAAA argues the tariff, originally

introduced in 2018 and reintroduced in May 2025, remains a significant barrier to competitiveness in our most important market.

AAAA Chief Executive Officer Stuart Charity says the tariff is a critical issue for the survival of Australia’s remaining automotive component manufacturing sector.

“Our industry has worked hard to remain globally competitive despite the end of local vehicle manufacturing,” Charity says. “We now produce worldclass, niche components that are in demand overseas, but a 25 per cent cost impost in our largest export market is a heavy burden to overcome.”

wage growth), and industrial land rents in Melbourne have surged by 64 per cent. It wanted a fee structure like one recently implemented in WA.

“The decision also overlooks the increasing complexity posed by electric and hybrid vehicles. Towing accidentdamaged EVs requires specialised equipment, training, and safety protocols that significantly increase operational costs. These vehicles must be stored with 15-metre isolation zones, which substantially reduces storage capacity and increases overhead expenses

VACC survey data reveals that 78 per cent of accident towing operators indicate current fees are insufficient to cover their operational costs. Many operators are subsidising their accident towing operations through other business activities that raises questions about the industry’s long-term viability.

“Our primary concern is ensuring Victorian motorists continue to receive timely, professional accident towing services. If operators are unable to maintain financially viable businesses, this could result in longer response times, reduced service quality, and ultimately impact road safety and traffic management across Melbourne.”

“The tariff has nothing to do with the quality or safety of Australian products, which are widely recognised as meeting or exceeding global standards.

“This is about ensuring that our exporters can compete on a level playing field. The US market is vital to the future of our industry, and removing this tariff would be a game changer for jobs, innovation, and investment in Australia.”

“It’s about working constructively with our friends to find a solution that supports both countries’ automotive industries. For some of our exporters, this issue could make or break their ability to maintain an Australian manufacturing base.”

The VACC fears fewer towing operators will mean longer delays.

EV sales surge could help reduce road pollution toll

in sales figures.

FCAI figures show the number of new vehicles almost doubled in August compared to the same time last year with 6,848 pure EVs sold compared to 3,434 in August 2024. These figures do not include Tesla or Polestar, who have left the FCAI.

Overall, 44,746 have been sold in 2025, 22 per cent down on 57,701 at the same time as last year, but a major boost after an extended flattening of the market in late 20024 and early 2025.

The AAA has reported the best quarter for EV sales on record up until June 2025 and these figures do include Tesla and Polestar.

The Australian Automobile Association’s quarterly reviews EV sales in the three months to 30 June, lifting sales by 63.37 per cent on the low first quarter 2024. The AAA report found they now make up 9.31 per cent of all new car sales market.

Plug-ins

Plug in hybrids, that still use an ICE engine, are also increasing in popularity with 33,550 vehicles sold in 2025 so far, a 155 increase on last year and driven by Chinese innovation in the ute space with PHEV models like the Shark.

Electric vehicles represented 6.8 per cent of VFACTS-recorded sales in August, while plug-in hybrid electric

effect on July 1 and will begin to count against OEMs with polluting vehicles.

Cleaner air, fewer deaths

It is also good news for a healthier environment, following new research that found air pollution from vehicles was responsible for more premature deaths each year than the national road toll.

Research conducted at the Centre for Safe Air through the University of Tasmania says traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is attributable to 1864 premature deaths annually.

The research published in Environmental Research found 3684 premature deaths were attributable to air pollution from all sources while more than half or 51 per cent of this was related to traffic-related air pollution TRAP.

This makes it 500 more deaths than the national road toll in the 12 months leading up to July 31, 2025, of 1360.

“Air pollution remains a significant contributor to mortality in Australia. Reducing exposure, particularly from TRAP, could yield substantial public health benefits. Policies promoting cleaner transport modes offer a promising avenue for rapid improvement,” the report says in its conclusion.

been a strong advocate for the uptake of EVs to improve air pollution.

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio says government policy needs to continue to encourage the uptake seen in the AAA figures.

“It’s encouraging to see EV sales climb, but we’re still in the early stages of the transition, and numbers remain well short of what’s needed for a self-sustaining market. Electric vehicles need to make up at least 30 per cent of all new car sales in Australia before governments can responsibly consider withdrawing incentives or imposing taxes.

“These figures show good progress, but with the Productivity Commission calling for the removal of the FBT incentive and road user charges being discussed, this risks slamming the brakes on growth. These proposed changes will abruptly stall the shift to EVs, which benefit everyone through lower energy bills and cleaner air.

“Australia’s strongest quarter for EV sales yet is a testament to the current federal policies and incentives fuelling this growth. The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is giving Australians more choice than ever before in low- and zero-emission cars. Combined with the discount on EVs through the FBT exemption, more everyday Australians are making the switch – and once they go electric, they don’t look back.”

The rise of zero emissions vehicles may help the build-up of exhaust fumes in big cities.

WorldSkills duo will carry hopes of collision repair

WorldSkills Australia has named two brilliant young repair talents among its elite training squad that is in the running to take on the rest of the world.

Samuel Shedden will lead the automotive paint category backed up by Axalta’s training expert Paul Polverino, while Jack Richards also from NSW will look to compete in Autobody Repair backed up by expert Cameron Killen.

WorldSkills Australia released the names as part of the list of 39 rising stars for its national training squad across a host of trade areas.

It is the first step toward selection for Team Australia, which will compete at

the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai, China, September 2227, 2026.

The squad includes high-performing apprentices, trainees and young professionals from every state and territory, who excelled at the recent WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane.

Over the coming months, squad members will undertake an intensive training program and those selected for the final team will represent Australia on the global stage in September 2026.

The massive event brings together 1,400 peers from over 60 countries in the

world’s largest skills excellence event.

WorldSkills Australia CEO, Trevor Schwenke says the National Championships in Brisbane in June showed the outstanding calibre of skills that exist in Australia.

“These young people have proven themselves among the best in the country and now have the opportunity to show the world just how strong and competitive Australian skills excellence is,” he says.

“Behind every squad member is a dedicated trainer, mentor, and a VET system that equips young people with real-world skills and career pathways. WorldSkills is more than a competition – it’s a platform to showcase potential, elevate ambition, and celebrate the skilled professionals shaping Australia’s future. We’re incredibly proud to support this next generation as they take their first step toward the world stage. First held in 1950, the WorldSkills International Competition aims to raise the profile of vocational skills worldwide, engaging young people, parents, educators and employers in the value of trades and technical education.

See also: Jack Richards talks about a valuable partnership. Page 32

Chinese surge in sales continues to change car parc

China continues to change the Australian car parc with four OEMS registering in the top ten brands for the first time.

BYD, GWM, MG and Chery have surged in the latest FCAI sales figures and are now part of a total of 20,070 Chinese-made vehicles were sold in August.

This figure is 67 per cent higher than in August 2024 and now makes up 20 per cent of the total new vehicles sold in that month.

These figures do not include Tesla’s which are manufactured for Australia in China.

Japan still dominates the imports,

with market leader Toyota among other brands but China is now closing in on Thailand as the second most important country of origin.

The figures also highlight the challenge for repairers and the need to have access to vehicle information and techniques along with an efficient supply of parts.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says the figures showed how quickly the industry and consumers – are adapting to new options.

“The presence of four Chinese brands in the top ten illustrates the

continuing evolution of the automotive landscape in Australia. Consumers have an extraordinary range of vehicles to choose from – more than 400 models, including around 100 EVs,” Weber says.

Electric vehicles represented 6.8 per cent of VFACTS-recorded sales in August, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles accounted for 3.9 per cent.

The total of 812,447 vehicles sold in 2025 is a decline of 2.1 per cent from 2024.

Toyota was the market leader with sales of 20,791 during August, followed by Ford (8,002), Kia (7,402), Mazda (6,814) and Hyundai (6,322).

The finalists competing in refinishing at the recent WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane with the support of coatings sponsor Axalta.

Image: Axalta

The momentum of shared ideas

One of the largest associations of collision repairers in the United States sat down to discuss a diverse range of subjects from proper welding techniques to the mental health of workers. Joining them was Australia’s Ben Chesterfield and as always, the shared ideas held valuable lessons for the industry.

From improving processes resulting in proper welding, to protecting employees from fentanyl exposure, to fostering discussion within the industry about mental health concerns, a recent meeting of the largest collision repair association in the US offered some actionable ideas for body shops.

Andrew Batenhorst, a California shop manager and a Society of Collision Repair Specialists board member, shared some of the steps his shop has taken to ensure proper welding is being done consistently.

“You have multiple technicians who may have their own individual opinions on what they think quality is,” Batenhorst says. “In my operation, I have found that having a standardised way that welds are being performed greatly reduces the risk of having variable quality being produced by the shop. And there needs to be a way for the person who is next in line, which in this case would be the paint department, to be able to assess what’s being done, even if they themselves are not welders. So

every car, before it passes onto the next repair process, someone from the receiving department needs to be able to assess what was done, and compare it back to the instructions that the technician followed to ensure that the work was done the way it needs to be done. And if it doesn’t pass, it shouldn’t continue on through the shop. It needs to be corrected to ensure that it’s not done improperly.”

He shared a document his technicians made with photos that show “an example of what a passing weld looks like, or what a failing weld looks like, what a proper flange should look like when you’re preparing for welding,” he says. “So again, if someone isn’t aware of what something should look like visibly, they have a reference to see.”

Batenhorst also found a way to ensure technicians can quickly access welder information.

“I created a QR code to, in this case, [the welding manufacturer’s] YouTube page, as well as to the owner’s manual for the particular welder,” he says. “I’ve

found that if I leave the owner’s manual inside the welder tray, it’s going to get shredded or stained with coffee or food, or it just goes away. So having [the QR code] there on the welder itself, with packing tape over it so it doesn’t peel off, is just a cheap and easy way to make sure there’s access to information.”

He also emphasised the need to check automaker welding specifications regularly.

“I had an instance once where a technician misread a diagram, and it just so happened to be the day that we were getting audited by Honda, and the auditor noticed the welds were in the wrong place,” Batenhorst says. “I actually had to buy another quarter panel for that car and do the job all over again. It was embarrassing, and even though it was 10 years ago, I’m embarrassed talking about it now, but we needed to do what’s right. The technician had gone off of memory. So it just highlighted that these [OEM] instructions get updated very often without us knowing, and you can’t rely on your memory alone.”

with John Yoswick

Ben Chesterfield

Andrew Batenhorst

Andy Tylka

Images: John Yoswick

At her final meeting as chairman of the SCRS board, Amber Alley shared an issue that arose in the shop she manages in California. Alley said a customer recently had their recovered stolen vehicle towed from a police impound lot to her shop after it had been outside of the customer’s possession for 45 days.

“The customer had brought up concerns that someone had been possibly living in the car, and was really concerned about it, and given how dangerous fentanyl could be, wanted to have the car tested,” Alley says. “We have a protocol to discuss this option and recommend that testing is done.”

Requests for such testing made to the customer’s insurer by both the shop and the customer were denied, however.

“The insurer basically said, ‘If the customer wants to pay for it, depending on what’s found, then we’ll determine whether we’re going to reimburse for it,’” Alley says. “So at that point we stored the car in our parking lot, basically taped it up and roped it off so nobody went close to the car. And this went back and forth for over a month.”

The vehicle owner eventually decided to pay for the testing, which is not inexpensive, Alley says.

“Within a few days, we got the results back that it was positive for fentanyl,” she says. “And what was so scary was that in the notes it said there was a substance on the driver’s side seat. I think about the tow truck driver who got in the car, and the police, and

protect themselves.”

The vehicle ended up as a total loss because of the cost of abatement, Alley says. But she shared the story to remind the industry that with everyone often moving so quickly to bring a car in and get repairs started, they may overlook risks involved.

“Safety protocols should be thought through to protect yourself,” Alley says. “During COVID, we would clean the cars, sanitise the cars. This vehicle happened to be a stolen recovery, which raised alarm, but in today’s society, it could have just been the customer’s car. As an industry, we should be aware we’re sharing that space, a very personal space. People may have a cold, the flu, COVID, drug use. We’re putting our people, and sometimes ourselves, in that situation. So I thought it was important to share that experience and bring it to everyone’s attention.”

Normalising discussion of mental health

In an effort to get more of the industry open to talking about mental health concerns, several speakers at the meeting did just that.

Ben Chesterfield of Car Craft Accident Repair Centers, which operates 150 shops in Australia, told US collision repairers about the Australian trade association’s effort to create and sell automotive-themed shirts to raise awareness of – and funds for – a nocost counseling service for anyone who needs it.

member, said he appreciated the mental health topic being raised.

“I personally have always struggled with mental health, and always kind of felt alone until I started going to counseling eight years ago,” Tylka, who owns a chain of body shops and calibration centers in the central part of the United States, says. “I realised I wasn’t alone, and it made me understand that there’s no shame in having mental health challenges, there’s no shame in getting counseling, there’s no shame in possibly getting medicated for what you need to get medicated for.”

Tylka said he learned that “1 in 4 automotive professionals experience mental health conditions, and the suicide rate in the auto industry ranks amongst the highest of any industry.”

But he said he’s also learned that “80 percent of workers say mental health support would improve their performance at work,” so he thinks talking to employees about this topic could really help the industry.

“It’s been such a passion of mine that two years ago I ended up starting a nonprofit called ‘Brake the Stigma’ for the automotive industry,” Tylka says. “It’s normalising getting people to talk about it. So my ask is: If you do struggle with this, talk about it and be transparent. By talking about it, you will be surprised that many others are struggling and normally wouldn’t talk about it. Those people might look down on counseling or talking to somebody, and never get help before it’s too late.”

Mental health is an issue for many industries including automotive repair, so getting conversations out in the open is important.

ADAS still requires ‘human intervention’

Human intervention occurs every nine minutes with ADAS systems.

ADAS systems are increasingly popular but the level of human intervention needed shows they have significant room for improvement, a new study has found.

A leading motoring association in the US found in certain systems, human intervention occurred every nine minutes on average.

The American Automobile Association did the testing on five passenger vehicles with five basic ADAS systems, including Traffic Jam Assistance. The most common interventions were over cut-ins and poor lane centring.

Every five km or 9.1 minutes on average, the researcher driving the vehicle decided the ADAS system failed to handle the driving conditions adequately with the driver needing to intervene 90 per cent of the time when a vehicle entered the lane directly in front of the test vehicle.

The second most frequent issue was inadequate Lane Centring Assistance where the ADAS uses cameras and other sensors to keep a vehicle centred within its lane, providing steering assistance to prevent drifting.

Local aversion to ADAS

In Australia, AAMI Crash Index research of 480,000 insurance claims shows one in five drivers confessed to disabling their car’s safety features including more

than half who responded they found safety features “annoying”, “distracting”, and “too sensitive”.

A group of academics from the University of South Australia have also argued that the most disliked feature in modern vehicles is the most effective one.

They say Lane-Keeping Assist is the most frequently disabled feature in Australia with nearly 45 per cent of drivers reporting turning it off – even though it is designed to prevent some of the most common and deadly crash types; run-off-road and lanedeparture collisions.

The South Australian University team maintain winding roads, roadworks, or when markings are faded, cause the system to issue frequent warnings or attempt corrections and drivers find this disconcerting and a reason to switch it off.

Paying attention

The US study argues, despite ADAS, the driver is still vital for safety.

“Even though ADAS systems can help out in certain driving situations, they’re not a replacement for paying attention behind the wheel,” says Greg Brannon, AAA director of automotive engineering research.

“What we’ve found is that drivers really need to stay alert and cut

down on distractions, especially when things get busy on the road.”

More advanced ADAS levels like hands-off ADAS systems, not currently legal in Australia, fared better with only a of third of hands-on interventions but drivers still had to put their hands back on the wheel every eight km or every 15.3 minutes.

These systems often rely on roads that are pre-mapped in the system and still required continuous driver engagement.

The AAA established ADAS systems were never a substitute for an engaged driver and said drivers needed to remain in control and be prepared to intervene by braking or steering at all times.

This meant distractions, like smartphones, could still be potential dangerous given the frequency of the need for the driver to intervene while using ADAS systems, especially in high traffic areas.

Next steps

The AAA wants to work with OEMs and system manufactures to further improve ADAS performance, particularly focusing on improving cut-in response and lanecentring behaviour.

It also wants to improve the visibility of alerts related to the deactivation of ADAS features to ensure drivers are aware when features are active or inactive.

The tech features drivers won’t do without

Blind spot technology is highly sought after and smart technologies that anticipate driver needs are winners but some like car wash mode need more work, a leading tech survey has found.

The annual J.D. Power 2025 US Tech Experience Index is aimed at analysing user experience in the ever evolving world of automotive tech, what is seen as desirable - even mandatory - and those which have plenty of room for improvement.

Now in its tenth year, the TXI Study evaluates how effectively automakers bring new technologies to market and is based on feedback from more than

76,000 owners of 2025 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership.

The study measures innovation, quality of execution, and the real-world usefulness of advanced features.

It found smart technologies can improve vehicle quality and satisfaction. Climate control systems—which can automatically adjust the vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to improve comfort and efficiency—have shown a notable improvement year over year in user experience, with a reported drop of 6.3 problems per 100 vehicles.

Blind spot cameras are also listed as

customer must-have technology with 93 per cent of customers say they use the blind spot camera most of the time, and 74 per cent say they desire the feature in a future vehicle.

By contrast car wash mode, tracked in the TXI Study, is intended to automatically prepare the vehicle to go through a car wash, closing all windows and disabling the windshield wipers, But the survey found it is often buried within the infotainment system, making it difficult to find, which causes delays and frustration, especially when in line at a car wash. One third of owners say they need better instructions to use it.

New record set as EV range test dispels doubters

In what should help dispel lingering fears of range anxiety in Australia, another record has fallen in the distance achieved by an EV on one charge.

Specialty Swedish EV maker, Polestar broke the Guinness World Record for longest journey travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge with its Polestar 3, reaching 935.44 km in its long-range single motor variant.

The distance, which is far more than most ICE vehicles can do on a tank of fuel, is one of a series of records set that are encouraging people to take a fresh look at EV capability and whether range is a barrier.

While long range variants tend to cost more and the AAA has released figures showing some EVs do not travel as far as claimed in laboratory tests, the new record will be good news for

anyone thinking Australia is too big or too sparsely serviced with chargers to support an EV.

EV sales figures in Australia have had their best month in July in over a year and the June quarter figures for new sales were a record.

The Polestar trial took 22 hours and 57 minutes to complete and occurred in mixed weather conditions including rain.

Polestar 3 achieved an efficiency of 12.1 kWh/100 km .

Drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker switched every three hours to maintain alertness. The Polestar 3 achieved its WLTP figure of 706 km with 20 per cent of its battery capacity still available and delivered an extra 12.8 km after showing 0 per cent battery –but the Polestar 3 reached a charger before ultimately stopping.

Confidence booster

Matt Galvin, Polestar UK Managing Director says the test should give more confidence to the EV doubters.

“It goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years. For a large premium SUV to go way beyond a London to Edinburgh distance is truly impressive and with this the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books.”

Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller says it wasn’t the first record holder for the Polestar family.

“This official Guinness World Record for range is another proof point that Polestar 3 is setting new standards. We will continue to push the boundaries of technology and electric performance.”

On-road

The production-standard SUV was adjudicated by Guinness World Records’ own judge, Paulina Sapinska, with Webfleet providing meticulously documented and independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings, and battery level data.

The car received zero modifications for the attempt and was on standard 20inch wheels fitted with standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres.

Image:

Polestar

Polestar 3 sets

Guinness World Record for longest journey travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge.

Behaviour patterns may hinder crash prevention

ADAS systems may not be the miracle solution to crash avoidance with one report indicating human behaviour is still a key variable.

A US study found while some systems, like lane departure warnings could avoid collisions, the automated warnings could also risk making drivers complacent.

The research comes after an Australian insurance study found one in five drivers are turning warnings off because they find them too annoying or unnecessary.

Reducing risk

Texas McCombs professor information, risk and operations management Ashish Agarwal says the research indicates both results occur and tech designers need to adapt warnings to driver behaviour to better reduce risk.

“We compared cars with blind spot detection with the ones that don’t have that to see how it influences speeding and hard braking behaviour,” Agarwal says.

Controlling for variables such as vehicle features and driver demographics, the team found the two kinds of warning signals had opposite effects on driving behaviour.

Blind spot detection reduced the daily number of hard braking events 6.76 per cent and speeding events 9.34 per cent

compared with cars without ADAS.

The research gauged two kinds of hazardous driving behaviour: rates of hard braking and rates of speeding. They also zeroed in on two sets of ADAS features that demand driver responses: blind spot detection and lane departure/ forward collision warnings.

By contrast, lane departure/forward collision warnings led to 5.65 per cent more hard braking and 5.34 per cent more speeding.

These results grew worse over time as drivers grew accustomed to the systems the researchers found,.

Drivers sped 0.40 per cent less often for each extra month they used blind spot detection.

They sped 0.32 per cent more for every added month with lane departure warnings.

Two kinds of thinking

In a release, Agarwal explains the warnings trigger two different modes of thinking.

Urgent warnings, such as lane departure and forward collision, require a driver to correct course immediately.

That causes System 1 or reactive thinking, which is automatic and largely unconscious, he says.

“It triggers risk compensation behaviour, which impedes your learning and makes your

behaviour worse,” says Agarwal.

By comparison, blind spot detection does not demand an instant reaction. It allows time for deliberate, System 2 thinking or reasoning one’s way to a response.

Future solutions

He believes OEMs should consider these findings as they design the next generation of ADAS features

“For example, a car could repeat a warning signal after a lane departure as well as during. That might encourage System 2 thinking, helping a driver reconsider their risky behaviour,” Agarwal says.

“For learning to take place, you need to be in the System 2 mode. That means that you learn, and your behaviour improves over time.”

Agarwal worked with Cenying Yang of the City University of Hong Kong and Prabhudev Konana of the University of Maryland to analyze data from a large automaker for cars sold in 2018 and 2019.

The data, collected from onboard sensors, included trips, speeds, and acceleration rates for 195,743 vehicles some with ADAS and some without.

The full report is titled: “General Behavioural Impact of Smart System Warnings: A Case of Advanced Driving Assistance Systems”

Signs skills pressure may ease

In a sign the global pressure on skills shortages may be easing the US has reported higher non-vacancy rates.

While not directly related to Australia’s long-running skills shortage in automotive, estimated to be up to 40,000 vacant roles, the slightly improved situation in the US may take pressure off international recruiting.

Many Australian repair shops have successfully met the demand with skilled migration applications in countries such as the Philippines and Ghana.

In the US almost half of the collision repair shops surveyed by CRASH Network in June were fully staffed, the highest percentage since June 2020.

The survey found that only 30 per cent of shops said they were looking to hire

a body technician, a surprising statistic amid a years-long technician shortage.

One US source, the TechForce Foundation reveals the shortage stands at over 100,000 job openings and these were expected to continue for the next three years.

Shops in need of a body tech typically hovers around 60 per cent, and didn’t dip below 50 per cent between 2021 and 2023, even in the summer of 2020, when 28 per cent of shops were still looking for body technicians.

At the height of the skills shortage in Australia, AAAA research done with Fifth Quadrant found almost all of the 27,620 Australian automotive workshops had vacancies, with 47 per cent currently hiring technicians, and 31

Automated vehicle momentum grows in EU

The imminent world of automated driving shows no sign of abating with the EU the latest hotbed of competition to put the first robotaxis on the road.

While large companies run automated or driverless vehicle services in several US cities like Phoenix and San Francisco and Wuhan in China, stricter EU safety standards have so far locked them out.

Australia is currently developing legislation for automated driving and higher levels of ADAS, due for release in 2026 but none of the AV technology is currently legal.

Now Lyft, a leading transportation network, has joined with global AI company Baidu with an aim to be among the first to introduce autonomous ridehailing services across Europe in 2026.

This latest partnership uses Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 vehicles and Lyft’s in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, pending regulatory approval.

In June, Poltico reported that the EU which follows standards for automated driving set by the United Nations, was willing to compromise these standards in negotiations with the US over the tariff stand-off.

German company Motor AI is another company hoping to take advantage of this development to be the first to win regulatory approval and be first on German roads.

Latest plans

The Baidu supplied vehicles, Apollo Go have over 1,000 AVs globally, with more than 11 million rides completed across 15 cities, Self Drive News reported.

Baidu’s experience across the globe gives it the best opportunity for a smoother roll-out in Europe, it says.

Lyft’s acquisition of rider service FREENOW that has deployment in nine countries, and 180 cities will also give it a head start in Germany and the UK, along with its regulatory and operator relationships.

Purpose built

Baidu’s fully electric RT6 vehicles are purpose-built for ridesharing.

“These vehicles incorporate six generations of real-world testing and intelligent interaction designs, ensuring safety and reliability. Riders will access these services seamlessly through the

per cent seeking a master technician, amounting to an industry shortage of 40,000 workers. The survey has broken this down to about 27,000 qualified technicians, and 13,500 apprentices with every workshop in the country short a technician and half short an apprentice.

In 2024, Capricorn’s snapshot of the Automotive industry The State of the Nation survey found there was a slight improvement in the skills crisis in automotive according with 39 per cent saying they are still struggling to get skilled staff after 2023’s high of 43 per cent.

Paint and panel remained the worst affected aftermarket field, with 73 per cent responding they have a resourcing issue of some kind.

Lyft platform,” it said in a statement.

“Both companies are committed to working closely with European regulators to meet stringent safety and compliance standards. The partnership aims to leverage Europe’s robust transport infrastructure and growing demand for sustainable mobility to establish a global benchmark for autonomous ride-hailing.”

Image: stockadobe.com

Baidu robotaxis in operation.

Other OEMs’ may have turned their back on hydrogen as a viable fuel for future mobility but one OEM continues to push the boundaries for the alternative power source.

Hyundai Motor Group has undertaken a hydrogen mobility trial in Trojena in northwest Saudi Arabia where a bus travelled at altitudes above 200m and on gradients as steep as 24 per cent.

The trial is part of Hyundai’s zeroemission mobility and was conducted with Enowa’s whose hydrogen refuelling station supported the trial.

Last month Stellantis, the maker of Crysler, Jeep, Citroen Fiat among other, decided to shift away from the hydrogen development based on mid-term market prospects and highlighted the challenges in this alternative fuel.

While there have been some inroads in Australia by the CSIRO, Hyundai and Toyota, sales of new vehicles have remained in single digits and there has

Boosting the driver experience Breakthroughs at altitude for hydrogen

been no general uptake by motorists with only two new passenger vehicles sold up until June 2025.

The prospects in commercial transport have been more promising in the EU.

The Hyundai test in Saudi Arabia was also conducted with Saudi Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia’s goals for economic diversification and environmental sustainability.

The EV Report said the trial involved Hyundai’s UNIVERSE Fuel Cell bus, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle using a mountainous route in Trojena with gradients of up to 24 percent.

The route simulated passenger transport from the CBD of the future concept city NEOM to Trojena, demonstrating the vehicle’s performance in demanding conditions, EV Report said.

“The successful operation highlights the potential of hydrogen mobility in complex topographies, paving the way for broader adoption in

Hyundai has once again been recognised as the top mass market brand in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) StudySM, marking the sixth consecutive year the brand has earned this distinction.

Now in its tenth year, the TXI Study evaluates how effectively automakers bring new technologies to market. Based on feedback from more than 76,000 owners of 2025 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership, the

study measures innovation, quality of execution, and the real-world usefulness of advanced features.

Hyundai’s leading performance reflects its ability to make cuttingedge technology intuitive, reliable, and valuable in everyday driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe has also been recognised with J.D. Power’s Mass-Market Driver Assist and Connected Vehicle Awards. For the second consecutive year, Santa Fe’s

sustainable transport systems.”

Hyundai Motor Group’s expertise in hydrogen technology began in the late 1990s and has its own dedicated hydrogen brand, HTWO.

This is also part of the Korean OEM’s broad vision for future mobility called the Hyundai Motor Way.

Hyundai is advancing the global energy transition by developing an end-to-end hydrogen ecosystem, from production and storage to application.

NEOM, envisioned as a living laboratory for innovation, provides an ideal testing ground for such initiatives.

Trojena, located on Jebel al Lawz and offering elevations from 1,500 to 2,500 meters, features a unique climate with sub-zero winter temperatures, enabling the Gulf’s first outdoor ski experience.

The partnership with NEOM and Enowa strengthens Hyundai’s role in developing reliable hydrogen infrastructure for decarbonized mobility.

phone-based digital key technology received top honours, highlighting the convenience of accessing and sharing vehicle functions through a smartphone. In addition, the model was celebrated for its Blind-Spot View Monitor, which provides drivers with enhanced visibility and added confidence when changing lanes.

“We appreciate this recognition because it demonstrates our focus that the best tech disappears into the drive, feeling natural from day one, building confidence behind the wheel, while continuing to be updated throughout the vehicle’s life,” says Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America.

“We do this in service of a drive that is safer, smoother, and more satisfying. Hyundai’s continued success in the TXI Study highlights its mission to democratise advanced technology, making premium innovations widely accessible to mass-market customers.”

Image: Hyundai

Nissan readies for the next generation

Nissan is taking major steps both in Australia and globally to be ready for the future energy transition as it sweeps the automotive world.

Nissan Motor Co. has entered a partnership with US -based LiCAP Technologies for the development of solid-state batteries that can greatly enhance EV range and efficiency

It also has plans in Australia to ramp up its service support through more than 90 dealerships on the eve of its new model Ariya arriving, including offering packages for three phase at home power that can recharge a vehicle in under half the time.

Range and cost have been major barriers to EV uptake but the solidstate battery could solve some of these problems.

The partnership in the US is aimed at developing a dry electrode

production process for cathode electrode production that will help to commercialise solid state batteries.

Dry-process electrodes eliminate the solvent process, reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact and Nissan says the partnership will be a major step toward EVs equipped with highperformance and cost-efficient ASSBs.

Nissan began operating its all-solidstate battery pilot line in January 2025.

The company aims to launch EVs equipped with in-house developed all-solid-state batteries by fiscal year 2028 and is accelerating its R&D efforts toward this goal.

Back in Australia, Nissan is also gearing up to equip its Ariya range with three phase power that will be able to charge a properly equipped model from 10 percent to 100 percent in between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, almost a third of what it takes with a single-phase charger.

For the ARIYA’s launch in Australia this year, Nissan Australia is also offering a three-phase on-board charger upgrade, on a limited number of purchases of an Engage, Advance or Advance+ grade ARIYA.

Customers are also able receive a free Autel Maxicharger 22kW AC home charger supplied through Nissan’s charging partner, JET Charge.

Promoting end-to-end electric

The UK team are making breakthroughs in end-to end supply chain.

In another first that sets the model for low emissions transport, Nissan has launched an end-to-end electric supply chain for its plant in the UK.

The electric truck charging station will potentially save 1,500 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The Sunderland plant project is a first in the UK automotive industry, transports materials into the Nissan plant and delivers finished vehicles out.

The project is the first on site private shared charging station of its kind in the UK.

The £1.4m facility has seven charging stations, capable of powering up to ten eHGVs simultaneously and adds to its EV36Zero vision for sustainable manufacturing, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production.

The charging station will support a fleet of 25 trucks with a charging capacity of up to 360kW.

The trucks will collect parts from Nissan’s UK supply base from as far as Derby; as well as delivering finished vehicles to and from the Port of Tyne.

This will equate to more than 2.4 million kilometres travelled per year, fully electrified.

Nissan AMIEO Vice President Supply Chain Management Michael Simpson lauded the plants’ ability to lead the way in electrified supply chain.

“We welcome the support we’ve received from our partners to bring the charging station to life and we’re proud of what we have achieved.

“The charging station looks brilliant and is a big step forward in Nissan’s EV360 vision, which brings together electric vehicles. zero carbon energy and battery manufacturing.”

The station will support 60 UK eHGV deliveries to the plant daily and represents just the start of the plant’s journey towards electrifying its supply chain.

“We’re exploring further opportunities to allow other hauliers to use the charging station as well as looking at other opportunities to maximise its full potential,” Simpson says

Bringing together Nissan, Fergusons, Yusen and BCA, the project is part of the Electric Freightway consortium that is transforming sustainable freight logistics through deployment of eHGVs and highpower charging infrastructure.

Nissan is looking to an electric future. Image:

Taking crash avoidance data to the next level

One leading OEM is taking a further step in crash avoidance by utilising data from its customers cars to better enhance safety.

Long a pioneer in advanced safety technology, Mercedes-Benz is stepping up its advanced driver assistance systems to utilise sensor and video data from the customer fleet to recognise different road users and atypical traffic situations.

From the July 2025, it will include the data in its push for “Vision Zero”, the goal of zero road fatalities in the European Union by 2050.

The company has been at the forefront of ADAS systems and was one of the

first OEMs to include AEB braking as standard and to develop higher levels of ADAS.

Many of these systems are not yet operational in Australia vehicles from the company due to a lag in automated driving laws compared to the EU and US.

Mercedes Benz says said the increasing complexity of road traffic places high demands on ADAS system and automated driving functions in vehicles.

“The more realistically the systems are trained, the safer and more reliably they behave in everyday life. Until now, Mercedes-Benz has relied on data collected from test vehicles worldwide.

In order to train automated systems to reliably recognise all types of road users and situations, a wide range of real-life traffic data is required.”

It hopes the additional data will enable the systems to react even better to uncommon groups of people such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people with restricted mobility along with unusual traffic situations, such as temporary traffic routing or unusual behaviour of road users.

Mercedes-Benz Board Member for Integrity, Governance and Sustainability Renata Jungo Brüngger says the data was only collected with the consent of the vehicle owner and was fully transparent about e procedure and the use and processing of the data.

“Our vision is clear: Road traffic must be safe for everyone. The prerequisite for this is high-quality data. That’s because driving assistance systems and automated functions can only react reliably if they have been trained with realistic and diverse data. In future, this will be based on data from customer vehicles. Our data protection standards are just as high as our safety standards. Our customers and all road users can rely on this. This is the basis for the acceptance of automated and connected driving.”

Solid-state batteries in cars ‘by 2030’

The elusive battery that can deliver as much as 25 per cent more range, is a step closer to reality with a leading automotive pioneer reporting the successful progress of its testing.

Mercedes Benz began road testing the solid-state batteries in February and is now reported to be confident that it will be in production for its vehicles by 2030.

Automotive News has Mercedes-Benz said it expects to bring a productionready solid-state-powered electric vehicle “before the end of the decade.”

According to Markus Schafer, the German automaker’s head of development, who spoke with Automobilwoche during an event in Denmark.

Range remains one of the key barriers

to EV uptake, particularly in Australia where greater distances and scarcity of charging infrastructure remain key factors against them, particularly in regional Australia

The extra 25 per cent of the solid-state battery means an average range of 400 km for an EV would increase to about 500km and closer to the range of a tank of traditional petrol.

Solid-state batteries are a promising technology in electric mobility. They use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, which enhances cell safety and allows for the use of new anodes like lithium metal, thus significantly outperforming conventional lithium-ion cells.

CEO and Co-Founder of Factorial

Energy, Siyu Huang, celebrated being the first to successfully integrate lithium metal solid-state batteries into a production vehicle platform.

“This breakthrough demonstrates that solid-state battery technology has moved beyond the laboratory and into real-world application, setting a new benchmark for the entire automotive industry,” Huang said in February.

“Our collaboration with MercedesBenz proves that the future of electric vehicles is not just a vision, but a reality we’re delivering today.”

Numerous other OEMs are currently pursuing the technology with Honda announcing last year a plant to potentially produce the batteries.

Mercedes will collect data in real time from its vehicles.

Image: Mercedes Benz

New ways with old materials at BMW

BMW has taken a bold step in reducing the carbon footprint of its vehicles with new entire lifecycle reductions meaning some models of EV could be carbon neutral after only one year of use.

Steps through the whole process including the supply chain, production and use phases, focused on conserving resources and reducing the model’s environmental footprint, BMW says.

The company says the Neue Klasse models are a milestone toward achieving the company’s 2030 and 2050 CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) targets.

“The extensive decarbonisation measures in the supply chain results in an early break-even point: when charged with electricity from the European energy mix, the CO₂e footprint of the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive is lower than that of a comparable model with a combustion engine after about 21,500 kilometres (WLTP combined).

“When charged exclusively with electricity from renewable sources, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive beats the

comparable ICE model after only 17,500 kilometres (WLTP combined), allowing customers to potentially achieve CO₂e benefits in as little as one year.”

In the supply chain BMW is using secondary materials and renewable energy, with a 35 per cent reduction of CO₂e emissions in the supply chain.

The Gen6 battery cells of the BMW iX3 high-voltage storage system are made of 50 per cent secondary cobalt, lithium, and nickel materials. Renewable energies are also harnessed in the anode and cathode materials and cell production.

CO₂e emissions per watt hour were reduced by 42 per cent compared with the Gen5 cell of the previous model.

As an example of reusing materials, 30 per cent of the secondary raw material used for the engine compartment cover and the storage compartment under the front hatch is recycled maritime plastic.

“This post-consumer material consists of old fishing nets and ropes, preventing these materials from potentially being dumped in the ocean.”

Secondary aluminium accounts for 80 per cent of the wheel carriers and swivel bearings as well as 70 per cent of the cast aluminium wheels.

Other components whose development followed the ‘Design for Circularity’ approach include the centre console, instrument panel and interior floor trim.

The energy consumption of the new BMW iX3 is 20 per cent lower than that of the predecessor model (WLTP combined).

This significant improvement is primarily based on optimised aerodynamic properties, reduced rolling resistance and on-board power consumption as well as the drive’s unparalleled combination of efficiency and dynamics, it says.

Designed and built according to the BMW iFactory principles, the new BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary is the first BMW Group car factory that is operated and produces vehicles without using fossil fuels.

Five-star crash rating important

ANCAP argues its testing is important on all vehicles.

ANCAP’s CEO has stressed the importance of SUV safety in the latest batch of ratings.

Two new SUVs - the Polestar 4 and the new-gen Subaru Forester - received a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, boasting impressive safety records, as the SUV market booms.

SUVs dominate the Australian market. In 2024, 700,000 SUVs were sold, 60 per cent of total sales. Because of this, it’s crucial that popular SUVs that

appeal to a range of buyers, have a strong focus on safety, says ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.

“Some may suggest that safety isn’t important for the smaller end of the [SUV] market, in fact the opposite is true.”

Small SUV, the Hyundai Inster, received a four-star safety rating. The vehicle reportedly performed well in all collision avoidance tests; however, the vehicle’s structure and airbag

safety kept it in the four-star tier.

“Smaller vehicles...are at a disadvantage out on the road, having a well-rounded level of safety as well as the ability to avoid a crash is critical.”

The Polestar earned the secondhighest Adult Occupant Protection score since ANCAP changed their criteria, in a test that measures the cars response to frontal and lateral impact, as well as whiplash tests. Hoorweg revealed that the recent rating for the Swedish brand means the last 3 polestar cars, “all carry the top level of safety.”

The Forester, a popular car model for families, performed excellently in the Child Occupant Protection tests, which measure front and side impact, and the vehicle’s ability accommodate child restraints.

All three vehicles performed well when their ability to avoid crashes with vulnerable pedestrians was tested.

More details on all models tested are available at ANCAP.

with Cliff Chambers

Status symbols of the 1960s

REACHING THE heights of social status during the 1960s meant living in an exclusive suburb, joining the right clubs, owning a boat with permanent mooring and driving a car that instantly defined your success.

Cars that made a statement were rarely cheap and never nondescript. British celebrities might have got away with customised Minis, but that would never work here.

No one back then talked about price, or how much any of our five examples might cost when compared with the

value of a humble Holden. Motoring magazine price guides sometimes wouldn’t list exclusive models at all, or if they did the price column simply showed ‘POA’ for Price On Application. If you needed to ask, you couldn’t afford it.

Delving into dealer guides from more recent times did reveal how much our selections might have been worth when new, such as the Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser priced in 1964 at $22,852 or the Ferrari 365GT 2+2 that in 1969 cost a quite similar $22,500. The year

CADILLAC ELDORADO

1965 saw Holden charging $2850 for a HD Premier, making luxo models back then worth about eight times the price of something the populace might buy.

Cars on our list would naturally have included air conditioning, power steering and power windows.

Quality cars tend to last longer, possibly because they were originally owned by people who could afford the maintenance, and status symbols seem to survive in proportionately higher numbers than everyday cars of similar age.

THE USA’S Symbol of Success had existed in conventional frontengine/ rear-wheel drive format for half a century without very many customers clamouring for change. Eldorados had always been Cadillac In Extremis, with the biggest V8, always automatic and with loads of gadgets to entertain the occupants.

General Motors in 1965 had pioneered front-wheel drive for full-sized cars by introducing the Oldsmobile Toronado, yet hardly anyone was expecting Cadillac to access the same technology.

The Eldorado that appeared in late 1966 was a sinister-looking two-door coupe with knife-edge mudguards and hidden headlights.

Under the massive bonnet lay the biggest surprise though; a sevenlitre V8 with threespeed auto transmission feeding a front-mounted differential that sent power via jointed driveshafts to the front wheels.

In left-hand drive form this was a complex arrangement and how Australia’s growing number of RHD conversion shops could maintain driveline integrity while carting the steering components, pedal box and lots of electrical components across the car was amazing.

Eldo FWDs did become reasonably common sights on the streets of big Australian cities and they all were right-hand drive. Original survivors and pre-1971 coupes of any kind are scarce in this country.

Good news is that excellent cars are likely to cost less than $40,000.

BENTLEY S3

GIVEN THE contrary nature for which Australians are renowned, there were plenty who during the 1960s felt that Bentley offered greater exclusivity than the almost identical Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.

The big Bentley did include virtually everything found in the Cloud, with the bonus of a more aerodynamic grille and less ostentatious emblem. Rolls-Royce in 1962 gave both the Silver Cloud and Bentley S3 one of the least costly and most effective makeovers in recent motoring history. Reshaping the front panels and replacing dual headlamps with four gave the cars a more imposing appearance at minimal cost.

Forty years after its Le Mans dominance, Bentley was still regarded as a sporting brand and although the cars no longer raced but could be seen in the paddock at local motor sporting events where they would serve as tow-cars for ‘gentleman’ racers. Earlier S1 and S2 Bentley saloons are quite common in Australia, but not the S3. One or two a year might reach the open market and values since the 1990s have remained around $80,000.

Hardly any 1960s buyers seem to have spent big and ordered one of the coachbuilt HJ Mulliner Continental coupes or four-door Sports Saloons. These when new cost around twice the price of a Standard Steel saloon but are worth much more now.

MERCEDES-BENZ 600 GROSSER

IF DURING the 1960s you owned one of these Mercedes-branded monsters then you joined an exclusive ownership group including John Lennon and Roy Orbison, former Russian President Leonid Brezhnev and Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

The ‘Grosser’ designation was originally used to describe imposing M-B limos from the late-1930s. Even in short wheelbase form, the 600 weighed 2470kg and needed a bigger engine than anything in the Mercedes-Benz range at that time. No problem for Germany’s well-resourced luxury brand, which simply ordered its engineering department to develop the company’s first-ever production V8 engine.

In 600 guise, the new motor displaced 6.3 litres but produced a modest 186kW. While 205km/h was the claimed top speed, in actuality closer to 180km/h. Basic features included dual heating and ventilation systems, vacuum door locks, air suspension and rear-seat headrests. Trim could be cloth or leather according to customer preference and options including on-board refrigeration and a cocktail cabinet. During 18 years of production, 2190 of the basic 600 plus 487 long-wheelbase Pullmans were built. These include several Landaulets with a rear section of roof that could be retracted for open-air motoring.

Among the original owners of these very exclusive cars was the late racing driver and tyre magnate, Bob Jane.

ANNOUNCED IN 1967 to replace the bulbous 330GT, Ferrari’s 365GT 2+2 was the company’s most successful 1960s model, with 801 sold in four years.

Styling by Pininfarina echoed the shape of the exclusive Superfast 500 coupe. It also used a V12 engine which at 4390cc was slightly smaller than the Superfast’s but made only 238kW for a top speed of 205km/h.

That probably didn’t bother most owners, especially the ones who might have bought just for the badge. Or perhaps they were more interested by the GT 2+2’s plush leather seats, integrated air conditioning, power windows, tape deck and adjustable rear suspension.

Australia during the 1960s didn’t see many Ferraris of any kind and anyone who could afford one of these evocative V12s would certainly stand out from the crowd. Our cars likely survived for longer than those sold into Europe or the UK and it’s likely that some have disappeared overseas, making 365GT Ferraris scarce in Australia.

That still won’t justify prices asked recently for some local cars that were well above the values realised in other RHD markets, so caution when shopping for one of these is recommended.

THE DB5 when new was amongst the least expensive cars in this grouping, but just look at it now. Motor Manual magazine in December 1965 listed new DB5s at $7365, with the S3 Bentley at $9100 and Ferrari 365GT $8125. Sixty years later, in markets across the world, DB5 values range from A$700,000 for cars in shabby condition to A$1.4 million for restored coupes. Open-top Dropheads, of which only 123 were made, start at around A$2.5 million.

The reason for such astounding growth lies with a series of digits – 007 – and the DB5’s starring role in a several James Bond films.

Let’s also not ignore ageless styling that originated in the 1950s and the twin-cam, six-cylinder engine designed to deliver dignified transport with a sporting edge. Accommodation was via a pair of nicely shaped bucket seats trimmed in leather and a woodrim steering wheel. Top speed with the standard 210kW engine and five-speed gearbox was 227km/h, allowing comfortable 180km/h cruising on unrestricted 1960s highways. Pre-1970s Astons are hard to locate on Australian sales sites, with DB5s being the most difficult. This wasn’t always the case, with three to four popping up annually during the 1990s and encouraging the inaugural Unique Cars Value Guide in 1995 to price Condition 1 examples at $75,000. What a difference three decades can make.

FERRARI 365GT 2+2

ASTON-MARTIN DB5

WorldSkills

with Trevor Schwenke

Celebrating the 2026 Skillaroos Training Squad

Every time we announce a new Skillaroos Training Squad, I’m reminded of the power of skills to transform lives, industries, and our national future. The selection of the 2026 squad is no exception. It marks the beginning of a journey that is as much about personal growth and pride as it is about competition.

These young Australians have earned their place through excellence at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships. They’ve proven themselves not just as high performers in their fields, but as individuals with the commitment, focus, and potential to represent our nation on the world stage at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.

What makes this group special is not just their technical ability—though it’s extraordinary—but their passion. These are young people who’ve chosen a path often undervalued in public conversation: vocational education and training. And yet, through their skill

and determination, they are showing Australia—and the world—that trades and technology careers are dynamic, modern, and full of opportunity.

As CEO, what excites me most is the ripple effect. When we celebrate these young professionals, we send a strong message to every student, teacher, parent, and employer: skills matter. Skilled careers are not a fallback— they’re a launchpad.

Now the hard work begins. Over the next year, the squad will train relentlessly. They’ll be mentored by some of the best in the business. They’ll refine every technique, develop resilience, and prepare themselves to compete under immense pressure. But they won’t do it alone.

Behind every Skillaroo is a team— experts, employers, team leaders, educators, and family—all of whom play a vital role.

We were proud to officially launch this squad at Parliament House in

CEO, WorldSkills Australia

September—right in the heart of National Skills Week. It was a fitting moment to reflect on the role of skills in shaping Australia’s workforce and economy.

Trevor Schwenke

The very best from the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships will be on a training journey, hoping to represent Australia overseas.

Image: WorldSkills Australia

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