VACC Automotive June 2025

FORGING AHEAD

09 ELECTION OUTCOME

With the Labor Government re-elected, the automotive sector now shifts its focus to what lies ahead.

13 PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS

WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed that a Compliance Code on Psychological Health is currently under development.

17 SKILLS CHALLENGE

VACC remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the skills challenge within Victorian Automotive industry.

20 THE FINALISTS ARE...

The 2025 Automotive Industry Awards (AIA) finalists have been announced

11 PROVIDING INVOICES

John Caine explains what are the requirements for providing invoices and itemised bills?

15 ROADWORTHY INSPECTION

Bruce McIntosh discusses the roadwothy inspection impact on Tasmanian consumers.

18 UNPLUGGED AND UNCHECKED

The VACC is now calling for national consistency in e-bike laws and a crackdown on non-compliant imports.

26 MOTORTECH’S ‘INFO BY REGO’

Access comprehensive vehicle specifications using nothing more than the registration number.

28 CAVALO PRESTIGE

Cavalo Prestige isn’t just another showroom –it’s a bold reimagining of what a dealership can be.

37 GOLF LINKS MOTORS

We visit 50 Year members, John and Heather Coghill, owners of Golf Link Motors in Rochester.

35 PARSONS MOTOR & BODY SHOP

We visit 50 Year members and local family business, Parsons Motor and Body Shop in Castlemaine.

42 CHANGE IS COMING

Digital technology is enabling personalised demand and service in all areas of sales in car dealerships

BUSINESS & SERVICES TECHNICAL

48 FORD RANGER & MAZDA BT50

This article will give you the procedure EGR valve and cooler with some extra tips to make this job easier.

56 SERVICE DIRECTORY

Find everything from the latest products to the best business services all in the one place.

58 BUSINESS INDEX

Take advantage of VACC and TACC corporate partnerships and services.

62 THE LAST WORD

From our archives, a page from The Australian Automobile Trade Journal published 100 years ago.

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FROM THE EDITOR

As winter settles across Australia, our industry finds itself at a fascinating crossroads of tradition and transformation. The automotive landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and this June edition captures both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The re-elected Labor Government’s implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard signals ongoing adaptation for businesses across the automotive spectrum. As electric vehicles transition from niche to mainstream, workshops face critical decisions about investing in new tools, training, and infrastructure. Those who embrace these changes stand to benefit from new revenue streams in areas like EV charger installation and battery repurposing.

On the policy front, our industry continues to navigate

significant workforce challenges. The VACC-commissioned Deloitte analysis reveals that only 37 per cent of advertised automotive positions were filled last year—well below the threshold that would trigger official recognition of skills shortages. This disconnect between official assessments and ground-level realities demands continued advocacy and innovative approaches to talent development. Yet amidst this policy landscape, we’re witnessing some concerning developments that require our collective attention. The unchecked world of non-compliant e-bikes represents a growing challenge for legitimate dealers and a genuine safety concern for all road users. What began as a quiet hum on the city streets has become a roar of unregistered, high-powered bikes racing ahead of regulations. The emergence of bold ventures like Cavalo Prestige in Melbourne’s Docklands reflects a reimagining of what dealerships can be in this changing environment. While the traditional showroom experience remains valuable for many consumers, forward-thinking operators are creating comprehensive ecosystems that extend far beyond mere vehicle sales. As Paul Tuzon astutely observes in his thought-provoking piece, “resistance is futile” when it comes to technological change in automotive retail. The integration of AI and digital technologies isn’t merely an option but an imperative for thriving. Tasmania’s experience with interstate vehicle transfers highlights the vital importance of maintaining rigorous

DR. IMOGEN GARCIA REID

roadworthy inspection processes to protect consumers and ensure road safety. For workshops, MotorTech’s innovative ‘Info by Rego’ feature offers a glimpse of how technology can eliminate frustration and boost productivity. As Australia’s vehicle fleet diversifies, immediate access to precise technical information becomes increasingly valuable. We’re also mindful of our responsibilities to our people. With the Victorian Government introducing new psychological health regulations from December, there’s an opportunity to review workplace policies and practices. In an industry that can be high-pressure, ensuring the wellbeing of our teams isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s good business. As we progress through 2025, it’s clear that our industry’s resilience will be tested on multiple fronts. Yet I remain optimistic. The automotive sector has always been defined by its ability to adapt and innovate, qualities that will serve us well as we navigate this period of profound change. In this edition, we’ve endeavoured to provide not just analysis of these challenges, but practical insights to help your business thrive. Whether you’re a dealership principal contemplating the impact of AI, a workshop owner weighing up investment in EV training, or a repairer concerned about compliance, we hope you’ll find value in these pages. Winter may be upon us, but for those willing to embrace change, the forecast remains promising. Drive safely,

MANAGING EDITOR

Imogen Garcia Reid 03 9829 1247

vaccautomotive@vacc.com.au

SUB-EDITOR

Andrew Molloy

DESIGNERS

Faith Perrett

Gavin van Langenberg 03 9829 1189

creativeservices@vacc.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS

John Caine, Andrew Molloy, Rod Lofts, Bruce McIntosh, Imogen Garcia Reid, Daniel Hodges, Paul Tuzson VACC adheres to its obligations under National Privacy Principles legislation. Information on products and services contained in the editorial and advertising pages of this magazine does not imply the endorsement of any product or service by VACC. Australasian Automotive is copyright and no part may be reproduced without the written permission of VACC. Advertisers and advertising agencies lodging material for publication in Australasian Automotive indemnify VACC, its directors, board, employees, members, and its agents against all claims and any other liability whatsoever wholly or

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

John Eaton 03 9829 1209 | 0407 344 433 jeaton@ourauto.com.au

PRESIDENT Craig Beruldsen

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Peter Jones

Official publication of the Victorian and Tasmanian Automotive Chambers of Commerce 650 Victoria Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 03 9829 1111 ABN 63 009 478 209

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FROM THE CEO

Peter Jones

What the election outcome means for Australia’s Automotive Industry

With the Labor Government re-elected for another three-year term, the automotive sector now shifts its focus to what lies ahead. While the outcome signals policy stability, it also sets the stage for a continued adaptation period for businesses across Victoria’s diverse automotive landscape.

The confirmation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) means manufacturers are locked into annual fleet-wide emissions targets, with penalties for exceeding set limits. This directly impacts vehicle supply, especially low and zero-emission models, and sets off a chain reaction across the entire sector. In showrooms, the shift is already visible, with dealerships expanding floor space for electric and hybrid vehicles. Meanwhile, independent workshops face hard choices about whether to invest in new tools and training for unfamiliar technologies, particularly in a time of economic pressure.

Electric vehicles are rapidly moving from niche to mainstream. This represents the most significant technological change in a century, and businesses are having to keep pace. Some Victorian workshops have already made the shift, focusing on EV servicing and reporting strong customer loyalty. For collision repairers,

it’s a different challenge—high-voltage systems require new protocols, safety standards and technical knowledge.

As the market evolves, the skills gap has widened. The shortage of qualified technicians is the most urgent issue facing the sector. The push for lower emissions, coupled with more complex vehicle systems, demands significant investment in training— especially for small and regional operations. In some areas, businesses are collaborating to manage this, using shared resources or outsourcing technical elements like radar calibration to specialist providers. It’s a practical workaround, but not a long-term fix. VACC is fighting—and will continue to fight—for stronger government support in this space, calling for targeted funding and advocating for skilled labour policies that support the specific needs of automotive businesses across Victoria. At the same time, infrastructure development is becoming a key issue. The government’s plans to expand the public charging network will be vital in driving further EV adoption. With around 700 public chargers currently in Victoria, the network must grow substantially to meet future demand. For businesses, particularly in rural and regional communities, this opens the door to new services. Some dealerships are already capitalising on their technical expertise to build divisions focused on EV charger installation and maintenance, adding

new income streams in the process. Another area gaining attention is the end-of-life phase for electric vehicles. While Victoria has long led the way in vehicle recycling, EVs bring new challenges. Managing battery materials, handling complex electronic systems and recovering valuable resources all require fresh approaches. But within this challenge lies a new industry. Some businesses are already making headway in battery repurposing. What happens over the next three years will be shaped by how well Government policies match on-theground realities. The role of VACC will be to help ensure members are not only kept informed but are part of shaping the transition. Businesses across the state must be equipped to evolve with the industry, not left behind by it. By leaning into the changes—developing new services, investing in skills, and finding innovative ways to adapt—the industry can continue to play its crucial role in keeping the state moving.

The industry doesn’t just support mobility—it supports livelihoods, communities and the broader economy. Now is the time to ensure businesses have the tools, people and policies to thrive in a changing landscape.

As Victoria stands at this critical point, VACC remains committed to championing our members through this transformation, ensuring Australia’s automotive future is both sustainable and prosperous for all who depend on this essential industry.

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CONSUMER AFFAIRS

John Caine

Business Obligations to Provide Invoices and Itemised Bills: 2025 Update

A question that frequently crosses the desk of VACC’s Business and Consumer Affairs department comes from both member businesses and consumers alike: What are the requirements for providing invoices and itemised bills?

Legal Framework and Requirements

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) clearly states that suppliers must provide proof of transaction to consumers for goods or services valued at $75 or more (excluding GST). A GST tax invoice is considered sufficient proof of transaction, and businesses must provide this documentation as soon as practicable after the transaction is completed. For transactions under $75, consumers still have the right to request a receipt, and businesses must provide one within seven days of being asked. This requirement applies to all automotive businesses regardless of their size or specialisation.

A valid proof of transaction must contain specific information: the identity of the supplier, their ABN or ACN, the date of supply, details of the goods or services provided, and the price charged. This documentation may take various forms, including a GST tax invoice, cash register receipt, credit card statement, handwritten receipt, lay-by agreement, or confirmation number for

telephone or internet transactions.

Itemised Bills

Beyond basic receipts, a consumer can request an itemised bill for services within 30 days of receiving the original bill or after the service is supplied, whichever occurs later. Automotive businesses must provide this itemised bill without charge and within seven days of receiving the request.

The itemised bill should clearly show how the price was calculated, including the number of labour hours and the hourly rate, as well as a list of materials used and the amount charged for each component. This documentation must be expressed in plain language, be legible, and present the information clearly.

When warranty or goodwill labour and parts are supplied at no charge, these obligations regarding transaction documentation do not apply. However, it’s important to note that all other billable work must be properly documented.

Compliance and Penalties

Businesses should exercise caution when entering into arrangements where no paperwork is to be provided, as consumers have an absolute right to demand these documents at a later stage, as detailed above.

The potential consequences for noncompliance are significant. Recent amendments have substantially increased penalties for breaches of

consumer law provisions. As of 2025, the maximum civil penalties for failing to provide consumers with a proof of transaction, or not providing it within the required time, are $20,000 for a body corporate and $5,000 for an individual.

Best Practices for Automotive Businesses

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce recommends that all members:

1. Implement robust systems for automatically providing receipts for all transactions over $75

2. Train staff on the legal requirements for transaction documentation

3. Develop standardised itemised billing templates that clearly display all required information

4. Maintain comprehensive records of all transactions and service details

5. Promptly respond to any consumer requests for documentation

Following these guidelines not only ensures legal compliance but also builds consumer trust and enhances your business’s professional reputation in Victoria’s competitive automotive marketplace.

For further guidance on documentation requirements or other consumer law matters, VACC members can contact our Business and Consumer Affairs department.

DISCLAIMER: This article provides general information only and is not intended as legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, laws and regulations change frequently. Businesses should seek specific legal advice from qualified legal practitioners regarding their individual circumstances.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

Action steps for employers

The introduction of Psychological Health Regulations and a supporting Compliance Code provides a timely reminder for members to regularly review and evaluate their existing policies and organisational practices (including complaints procedure) relating to hazards such as bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, in consultation with their employees. The review should ensure that the policies and practices continue to be both up-to-date and effective – with all workers inducted and trained (and periodically retrained as required) so that they understand both their rights and responsibilities. This is particularly important in respect to managers, who are perceived as cultural role models for, and enforcers of, appropriate behaviour, and who are often appointed to receive the initial complaint. How can VACC help?

VACC Workplace Training

VACC delivers customised, on-site, automotive industry-specific workplace training services at a subsidised rate to members. This training can be delivered to all staff and/or specifically focused for managerial level employees, helping to ensure that everyone in the organisation understands and is aligned with the businesses’ safety standards and practices.

VACC Employee Handbook

The VACC Employee Handbook is a collection of essential workplace policies for your business and reflecting the requirements of the National Employment Standards and relevant modern awards. It is balanced (explains employee rights and obligations equally) and if necessary, can be relied upon for disciplinary purposes. The VACC Employee Handbook specifically deals with issues such as bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination, and has been updated to incorporate recent legislative changes. Stand-alone bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination policies and procedures

Specifically devised for larger employers, the VACC has created a suite of stand-alone bullying (including workplace violence), sexual harassment (including sex-based harassment) and discrimination policies and procedures to complement the VACC Employee Handbook. Each contain a detailed issue resolution procedure to ensure that employees are educated on the importance of raising matters in a timely manner in the workplace so that they can be appropriate responded to. Members seeking advice or assistance on the implementation of appropriate policies and procedures in their workplace, including training of staff and management, are encouraged to contact the VACC Industrial Relations on 03 9829 1123 or email us at ir@vacc.com.au.

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TACC UPDATE

Bruce McIntosh

Not unlike any other state in Australia, Tasmania has its fair share of “imported” used light vehicles that enter the state each year. I’m not referring to vehicles crossing the Bass Strait for the Tour of Tassie before returning home, but rather those sold into Tasmania and permanently registered here. In 2024, 10,000 of these imported used light vehicles entered the state.

Unsurprisingly, a significant proportion end up on used car dealer sales yards and are inevitably purchased by Tasmanian consumers. In fact, this interstate supply source provides a valuable supply of fresh used vehicle stock through Tasmania’s network of licensed motor vehicle traders (LMVTs).

TACC automotive repairer members play a significant role in this process by participating in the roadworthy inspection system. To be registered in Tasmania, these interstate vehicles must be presented to one of the hundreds of state government-contracted Authorised Inspection Stations (AIS), where two crucial processes occur. Firstly, the provenance and ownership integrity are verified and recorded. Ensuring vehicles aren’t stolen and show matching identification is vital for the buyer’s “title” and the accuracy of government registration databases.

Secondly, an AIS roadworthiness inspection confirms the safety, compliance, reliability, and peace of mind of consumers. Thereafter, consumers benefit from a well-tested, reliable process ensuring vehicles on LMVT yards are roadworthy with clean ownership histories. Both elements of this process are excellent methods of protecting TACC members and Tasmanian consumers while contributing to making our roads safer places for all road users. Other states envy this system.

TACC recently surveyed the outcomes of the current roadworthy inspection system. We wanted to understand what the first-time inspection success rate was on interstate transfer light vehicles to gauge the importance of the industry’s involvement in used light vehicles entering Tasmania from interstate. TACC surveyed 550 of these “imports”, revealing telling results. The findings showed that 38 per cent of used light vehicles arriving from interstate failed the first-time AIS roadworthiness inspection. Further, 49 per cent of towable light vehicles, trailers, caravans and horse floats failed the first time around.

Our survey dug deep into the root causes, which featured alarming yet common failures in critical safety areas such as poor tyre condition, suspension and steering defects, faulty crash protection systems, lights and passenger restraint

systems. Poorly fitted and non-compliant modifications also featured prominently. Needless to say, the Tasmanian automotive repair and retail sales industry find it confusing and hypocritical that there is a constant push for more stringent and harsher penalties for issues such as very minor speeding offences with the alleged benefit of road safety, but roadworthiness of vehicles and their compliance to the rules and regulations seems to take a back seat, with the opportunity to enforce them being watered down constantly. The heart of the matter is that without these protective regulations, approximately 3,800 defective light vehicles could have entered Tasmanian roads in 2024. These findings prove vehicle inspections aren’t mere red tape but essential safeguards. Each failed vehicle represents a potential tragedy avoided. The true value extends beyond paperwork—it’s measured in lives saved. Our roadworthy inspection system provides a vital line of defence that protects all Tasmanians who share our roads. Every time an inspection prevents a dangerous vehicle from reaching our highways, we’ve potentially averted an accident, injury, or worse. This is not just about regulatory compliance; it’s about creating a culture of safety and responsibility within our automotive industry that benefits everyone—from dealers and mechanics to the families who trust their vehicles to keep them safe on every journey.

INDUSTRY POLICY

Dr Imogen Garcia Reid

Navigating Skills Challenges

The Victorian automotive industry is currently managing a significant workforce challenge, with businesses across the state working to address gaps in critical positions.

In a comprehensive analysis by Deloitte Access Economics, commissioned by the VACC, data shows that 37% of advertised roles were successfully filled in 2024, below the 67% threshold Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) uses to determine occupational shortages. Among 637 vacancies advertised by surveyed businesses last year, 237 positions were filled. Technical roles present particular recruitment challenges, with tyre fitters being the most difficult to recruit with a 7% fill rate, followed by automotive electricians (19%), panel beaters (22%), and motor mechanics (28%). The situation stems from multiple factors. According to the research, Victorian automotive businesses received an average of 4.5 applicants per vacancy compared to the cross-industry average of 22.6. Additionally, some applicants lacked Australian working rights (26%), technical skills (17%), relevant experience (17%), or necessary qualifications (11%).

The VACC’s policy team has an established, coordinated approach to address these workforce challenges—working in tandem with the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) to ensure a unified industry voice at both state and federal levels. This collaborative effort ensures that Victoria’s automotive sector benefits from nationally consistent advocacy while addressing state-specific concerns. The policy team maintains ongoing dialogue with key government stakeholders, including regular briefings with the Victorian Skills Minister on training priorities and workforce development. These discussions have been instrumental in highlighting the disparity between JSA’s official shortage assessments and the reality experienced by automotive businesses. At the federal level, VACC works closely

with the MTAA and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to engage with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations on skilled migration pathways. This partnership has enabled the organisations to present compelling evidence for revising occupational shortage classifications and expanding migration opportunities for critical automotive roles.

The VACC also regularly meet with MPs from all sides of politics to build understanding of the industry’s workforce challenges. These efforts have resulted in increased recognition of the automotive sector’s economic contribution and the critical nature of its skills requirements.

In addition to government advocacy, VACC operates a dedicated apprenticeship team that focuses on recruiting, vetting and placing candidates with member businesses. This team engages potential apprentices through school events, conducts thorough assessments, and provides ongoing support throughout the apprenticeship journey.

VACC’sevidence-based approach, supported by comprehensive research including the recent Deloitte Access Ecomonics report, has strengthened its policy positions and advocacy effectiveness. For business owners navigating this landscape, there are several strategic approaches you might

consider. Developing internal talent pipelines through apprenticeships offers a long-term solution, with apprentice positions showing higher fill rates (45%) than qualified roles. Exploring skilled migration pathways may help address immediate needs, particularly for regional businesses eligible for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa. Additionally, implementing technology and process improvements can enhance operational efficiency.

The efforts of VACC’s policy team demonstrates the industry’s commitment to proactive solutions. Through persistent advocacy, strategic partnerships, and member support initiatives, we are working to ensure Victoria’s automotive sector can access the skilled workforce needed for continued growth and innovation. VACC remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the skills challenge, continuing to fight on every front—from government lobbying and policy development to direct training support and business guidance, ensuring that members’ interests remain at the forefront of all initiatives.

This unwavering determination reflects VACC’s core mission: to secure a sustainable, skilled workforce that will allow Victoria’s automotive businesses to thrive in the years ahead.

For more information, and to view the JSA report, head over to the VACC website.

It started with a buzz. A quiet hum weaving through Melbourne’s laneways and city streets. At first, it was a novelty: food delivery riders on electric bikes, zipping past traffic with ease. But as the hum grew louder—more bikes, more speed, more near misses—it became clear: something was

slipping through the cracks.

Electric bikes have become the vehicle of choice for a new wave of urban transport. Behind the convenience, however, lies a story of uneven rules, online loopholes, and a market moving faster than the law can catch up. What was once a solution to

Unplugged Unchecked

congestion and carbon emissions is now raising red flags for police, regulators and Australia’s legitimate motorcycle and e-bike dealers.

At the heart of this unfolding story is a central problem: the system is being gamed.

Online marketplaces, many based

Unplugged and Unchecked How E-Bikes are racing ahead

of the rules

In some inner-city suburbs, it’s not uncommon to see young riders, some barely teenagers, riding on unregistered e-bikes capable of hitting 60km/h. Police are increasingly tied up dealing with accidents, seizures, and legal grey areas, where the definition of an “e-bike” isn’t keeping pace with the technology.

Meanwhile, legitimate Australian motorcycle dealers are starting to be squeezed out of the race. Unlike their offshore competitors, they must meet safety standards, pay GST, land tax and ensure that what they sell is legal for use on Australian roads. Yet, as the grey market expands, these dealers are losing ground.

“You can’t compete with a seller who pays no tax, sells an unsafe product, and doesn’t answer the phone,” Mr Jones adds. “It’s not just unfair—it’s dangerous.”

To address this growing crisis, the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with Monash University to conduct a study into e-bike usage in Melbourne’s CBD. The research aims to highlight just how widespread non-compliant e-bike use has become and will provide the data needed to push for change.

“Our members are playing by the rules, and we’re advocating to make sure they’re not punished for it,” says me Jones. “This isn’t just about business—it’s about safety, equity, and protecting the integrity of our roads.”

The VACC is now calling for national consistency in e-bike laws, stronger enforcement, and a crackdown on non-compliant

“Online marketplaces are selling what are essentially illegal motorcycles on our streets, with no registration, no training, and no accountability. It’s not just unfair to legitimate dealers—it’s dangerous for everyone.”

overseas, are selling high-powered e-bikes directly to Australian consumers. These bikes often exceed the country’s legal limits—250 watts of power and a top speed of 25km/h for pedal-assist models. Yet, deep in the fine print are vague disclaimers: “off-road use only,” “check your local laws.” In reality,

many of these bikes are being ridden on public roads, unregistered and frequently by riders under 18.

“Consumers don’t realise these are essentially illegal motorcycles,” says Peter Jones, VACC CEO. “They’re being used on our streets, with no registration, no training, and no accountability.”

imports. Public awareness campaigns and better education for young riders are also urgently needed. What started as a quiet hum has now become a roar. Without swift action, the unchecked growth of grey-market e-bikes threatens to outpace the rules meant to keep all road users safe.

2025 Automotive Industry Awards (AIA) finalists have been announced by the Victorian and Tasmanian Chambers of Commerce.

The awards give hardworking automotive businesses an opportunity to showcase achievements, gain recognition for successes and promote themselves to consumers. All VACC and TACC members were eligible to apply (accredited and non-accredited). All applicants are thanked for their participation, but only some can be finalists.

Award winners will be revealed at the 2025 Automotive Industry Awards Dinner at Palladium Crown in Melbourne on Saturday 28 June. The next generation, VACC and TACC Automotive Apprenticeships’ award winners and graduating apprentices, will also be celebrated on the night.

The night will be full of entertainment, gourmet food, drinks, music and dancing.

The Voices Supergroup returns, providing ample time for attendees to let their hair down. You will be captivated by the performers of The Greatest Circus Dance Show, it’s set to be the industry’s night of nights.

For tickets and more information, visit: automotiveindustryawards.com.au

Special thanks to major event partner DENSO for its support, as well as the AIA category sponsors Podium, Commonwealth Bank, Officeworks, Exedy, SixFam, Shell Card and Haynes Pro. Sponsors on the apprentice front include Care Super, SP Tools, Cleanaway, Tecalemit, BG Products, Bendix, Apprenticeship Support Australia, Trico, Lubewise and table sponsor Neway.

President’s Award

Employer of the Year

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Employee of the Year

Brad Clark

Warragul Nissan & Mitsubishi

Bradley Harwood

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Dylan Eagleton Agpower

Gillian Robson

Complete Body Craft

Kevin Frost

Autobody Solutions

Malcolm Allender 3 Point Motors

Samuel Harrison

Mont Eltham Auto Electrics

VICTORIA

Best Large Business

Metropolitan

3 Point Motors

HM GEM Engines

TRUCK TECH

Zagame Autobody

Best Medium Business

Metropolitan Agpower

BM Tech

Melville Body Works

Original Engines Co

Werribee MG, Werribee Ssangyong/LDV

Werribee Nissan

Western Highway Honda

Western Nissan

Best Small Business

Metropolitan

Allpoint Automotive

Auto Tech Malvern

Questions? Contact Event Coordinator Ismini Tsiftis 03 9829 1263 | info@automotiveindustryawards.com.au | automotiveindustryawards.com.au

Auto Tech Malvern East

Aztek Auto Electrical

Azzco Deluxe Garage

B.M Techniker

Berwick Tyrepower

Bosch Car Service Ringwood

Buckley's Auto Repairs

Carnegie Automotive

Crankshaft Rebuilding & Machining

Lonsdale Street Auto Electrics

Mont Eltham Auto Electrics

Montmorency Service Centre

Moto Melbourne

Neway Wheel Repairs

Northern Fleet Care

Ozwide Tools

Primeserve Automotive

Smarter Choice Auto

Total Care Automotive

Service Centre

Total Collision Repairs

Wishart Auto Tech

Best Large Business

Regional

Complete Body Craft

Traralgon Automotive Group

Warragul Nissan & Mitsubishi

Western General Bodyworks

Best Small Business

Regional

Always There Automotive

Auto Care Ocean Grove

Ballarat Performance Auto Wreckers

Balyang Motors

BPW Automotive

CPK McLaren MotorBody

Dewar's Performance Engines

Geelong Performance Centre

Mansbridge Motors

Mansfield Power Ag

Next Gen Accident Centre

PJ's Discount Tyre Service

VW Tech

TASMANIA

Best Large Business

Tasmania

Cooper Automotive

Powell Motor Group

Best Small Business

Tasmania

Autobody Solutions

AutoTechnik Pty Ltd

Danbar Automotive

Duo Trading

Fatbuilds 4x4

Howell Automotive

JP Automotive

Kate Presnell Bodyworks

Sorell Service Centre

Southern Automotive

TJP Auto

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Developing a ‘cost out’ strategy

By Diana Kao

WITH tighter margins and rising operational costs, dealerships across Australia are taking a hard look at their cost structures through the lens of a “cost out” strategy.

We know that market pressures are being compounded by global headwinds.

Trump-era on-and-off and on-again tariffs continue to cause disruption and chaos to global supply chains, while an influx of high spec and competitivelypriced Chinese brands is reshaping consumer expectations and further squeezing dealership profitability.

In this climate, the smartest operators are shifting gears and going back to fundamentals – reducing inventory and increasing productivity

A disciplined “cost-out” strategy isn’t just about cutting for the sake of cutting. It’s about identifying waste, streamlining operations, and unlocking real, sustainable value. Four mainstays of a cost-out strategy

1. Reducing inventory: stop playing the demo game

One of the biggest levers in any dealership’s cost base is their new car inventory. In 2025, with market conditions shifting and consumer demand normalising after years of volatility, reducing new vehicle inventory is now critical.

Dealerships are actively selling down existing stock, limiting future stock orders, and focusing on increasing stock turn. Holding less inventory means less capital tied up in floorplan financing, lower insurance and storage costs, and more agility in responding to market trends.

Just as important, many dealerships are moving away from the “demo game”. Historically, dealerships have registered high volumes of demonstrator vehicles to meet OEM targets or keep up appearances. The downside? Inflated demo provisions that weigh on the bottom line.  By trimming demo fleets, dealers are seeing a noticeable savings on their demo depreciation.

A side-effect of being over-stocked in new cars is the urge to discount first in an effort to clear stock. The opposite is true if a dealer isn’t overstocked. This allows dealers to hold firm and realise full gross profits.

The market shift is clearly reflected in the VFacts data from the latter half of 2024, scan QR code to see graph.

2. Increasing Productivity: $1.3m revenue per head count is the new normal target Alongside reducing inventory, dealerships are tightening up their labour model. With wage pressure and superannuation increases adding to the cost of doing business, maximising headcount productivity is more important than ever. We’re seeing smart consolidation of headcounts – not just across departments, but even across locations in dealer groups. Many dealers are implementing headcount freezes and choosing not to backfill roles lost through natural attrition, especially non-productive roles. Rather than doing more with less, the focus is doing better with less. We are observing an increase in revenue per head and technology is playing a key role here. Offshoring and automation are no longer taboo topics, they’re strategic advantages. Functions like deal processing, marketing, and accounts payable/receivable can often be moved offshore without compromising customer experience. Bots can handle repetitive tasks faster and more accurately, freeing up onshore staff for higher-value work.

3. Utilising Property Strategically: The Hidden Lever

For many dealerships, property is both their largest and leastmeasured asset. Yet in a high-cost environment, it can be a powerful and often overlooked lever for cost optimisation. Despite its potential, this lever remains largely untapped. We found only one of the 15 dealers we interviewed had a defined property strategy in place.

Opportunities exist to unlock trapped value through:

Optimising underutilised space – consolidating departments or operations to reduce physical footprint and associated costs. Co-locating operations with other sites or brands to create multi-franchise hubs or shared service centres. Investing in data and benchmarking to properly assess and track property utilisation, costs, and return on capital. Real estate should be seen as a strategic asset – not just a cost centre.

When actively managed, property can be a lever for growth, resilience, and better decision-making.

4. Low Hanging Fruit: Quick Wins Worth Grabbing

There are several easy wins available to dealerships looking to improve cost efficiency quickly:

Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT): Consider shifting more staff into used vehicles or EVs to reduce your FBT bill. With the FBT returns due right around the corner, we at Pitcher Partners are recommending owners to conduct a review of their FBT returns for accuracy. Ask questions such as “did we nominate cars to form the drive car pool? Did we exclude stamp duty, registration costs and pre-delivery costs in our FBT calculation etc?”

Fuel Tax Credits (FTC): Do you know what a fuel tax credit is and have you made a claim for this?

Training and Empowerment: Equip your front-line team with the skills and confidence to upsell, cross-sell, and close – whether that’s service advisors selling tyres or sales teams selling accessories. The best practice dealers are busily training their team so they are well placed when consumer confidence becomes more buoyant post the federal election and when interest rates reduce.

Customer Retention Teams: Whilst most dealer groups have a centralised team that solely focuses on contacting lapsed service customers, no one has a team focused on customer retention and mining their own database for repeat customers.

Redirect savings: Into small, centralised teams whose modus operandi is setting up bona-fide appointments back into your showroom. This can significantly reduce your Carsales bill whilst boosting your front-end gross margins.

Final Thoughts

Cost-out isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about resetting your business for long-term profitability.

In 2025, the winners in automotive retail won’t be the ones who spend the most – they’ll be the ones who run the smartest, leanest operations without compromising customer experience.  Going back to fundamentals may just be the most forward-thinking move a dealership can make.

From Lead to Test Drive:

How Podium’s AI Employee Powers Dealership Growth

In Australia’s fast-moving and competitive auto market, the online experience is more critical than ever to a dealership’s success. With nearly every customer journey starting online, making a strong first impression and engaging prospects when they show interest is essential.

Driving high-quality leads isn’t cheap and becomes even more costly when teams struggle to follow up and nurture them quickly and effectively. The game has changed with AI, and Podium’s AI Agent, Jerry, is leading the way.

Jerry isn’t just another chatbot; he’s a specialised sales agent trained in over a decade of automotive conversations. This sophisticated AI provides immediate, professional interactions that convert online enquiries into tangible sales opportunities.

Working around the clock, Jerry manages all your lead channels — integrating with key automotive platforms, delivering a consistent 5-star customer experience, and handling the tasks salespeople often don’t have time for.

Social platforms like Meta can be valuable sources of leads, but they’re typically lower-intent and require more effort from sales teams to convert. As a result, many dealerships mishandle these leads or overlook the channel altogether. With the Jerry AI × Meta Lead Ad

Integration, dealerships can automatically engage, qualify, and nurture these prospects, allowing sales teams to focus only on the hottest, most readyto-buy leads. This integration alone helps dealers engage with thousands of additional leads each month at scale. Integrations with many major automotive software systems are at various stages of development, further positioning Jerry to deliver a range of innovative, profitdriving use cases. With comprehensive knowledge of inventory, pricing, and promotions, Jerry asks strategic qualifying questions that keep serious buyers moving forward, sustaining momentum and keeping leads warm. The results speak volumes: dealerships implementing Jerry report up to 30% higher conversion rates and 45% more sales opportunities. This performance boost comes from Jerry’s ability to respond within minutes—a critical factor when consumers shop at multiple dealerships simultaneously. One dealership shared, “With AI, it’s responding straight away with great questions. We’ve only been live for a couple of weeks, but it’s been great so far. Just the last couple of days alone, we booked three or four test drives. What we’ve found is the customer books the test drive and then stops looking.”

Another commented, “Podium’s AI agent has been a total game-changer for our dealership. Customers aren’t just chatting — they’re actually coming in and asking for their booked test drives by name. The AI helps customers right when they need it, moves things along, and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks. It’s been awesome for bringing my team more solid opportunities to sell cars every day.” By ensuring leads receive immediate attention regardless of channel or time of enquiry, Jerry empowers sales staff to focus on closing deals rather than initial qualification. This shift in focus creates a more efficient and confident overall operation. Podium’s vision extends beyond technological innovation to empowering Australian dealerships in a changing retail landscape. As consumers increasingly begin their car-buying journey online, Jerry ensures businesses can meet these shoppers with personalised, responsive service that builds trust and drives sales. For Australian auto dealerships facing fierce competition, Jerry represents more than just an efficiency tool— Jerry is a competitive advantage that delivers measurable results in test drive bookings and sales conversions.

Discover how Podium’s AI Employee can help you book more test drives and sell more cars at podium.com.au.

From Frustration to Function

How MotorTech's 'Info by Rego' is transforming workshop life

Few things surprise seasoned automotive technicians. However, even the most experienced professionals know the frustration of one challenging issue: identifying the exact vehicle variant in front of them. It’s a task that can kill productivity in even the most efficient workshops. Vehicles roll in, RO’s pile up, and time slip’s by as you and your staff try navigating through what seems like countless databases, just trying to confirm the exact service and repair specs for each car. “It’s the hidden time-thief in every workshop,” explains one industry expert. “You can’t invoice for the time spent just figuring out what variant of vehicle you’re working on.”

That bottleneck is now being addressed head-on with the launch of ‘Info by Rego’, a new feature within the VACC MotorTech platform. Debuting in May 2025, this innovation allows technicians to access comprehensive vehicle specifications using nothing more than the registration number.

VACC MotorTech is the first known platform in Australia dedicated exclusively to the supply of technical data to introduce this capability. Powered by HaynesPro, a global authority in automotive diagnostics, MotorTech’s ‘Info by Rego’ links the Australian and New Zealand registration databases’ with a massive archive of manufacturerlevel technical data. The result is a streamlined, highly accurate lookup process that eliminates guesswork and cuts down the time spent navigating multiple systems.

Early adopters report immediate efficiency improvements, but the benefits go beyond just saving time. Incorrect vehicle identification has long been a source of workshop error and frustration, from ordering the wrong parts to applying incorrect

service procedures. “When you get the right information from the start, you see fewer comebacks, fewer returns, and better outcomes overall,” says the VACC Technical Team.

With Australia’s vehicle landscape rapidly evolving, access to accurate, model-specific information is essential. MotorTech has significantly expanded

$10 per month, and as of June 2025, it will be added to all MotorTech renewals for all MotorTech packages. Users say the system pays for itself almost immediately by increasing job turnover and reducing downtime.

Technicians and workshop owners across Australia and New Zealand can experience ‘Info by Rego’ in action at upcoming Let’s Talk Tech sessions hosted by VACC. These

"Users say the system pays for itself almost immediately by increasing job turnover and reducing downtime."

its database coverage to include motorcycles and an expanded range of commercial vehicles alongside passenger cars, ensuring workshops can confidently work on virtually any vehicle that enters their bay. The platform’s soon to be released, comprehensive HV (High Voltage) data covers everything from basic hybrids to plug-in systems and full battery electric vehicles, and will address the needs one of the industry’s fastest-growing segments with detailed technical specifications, safety protocols, and service procedures.

VACC MotorTech comprises of six integrated products, and ‘Info by Rego’ acts as the gateway, pulling information from across the suite into one easily navigable hub.

Users can also choose the platform through which they receive the information, making it a flexible solution for diverse workshop needs.

“We’re building for tomorrow’s workshop, but we’re solving today’s problems,” says the VACC Team proudly. The human element also plays a critical role: the VACC Technical Team provides practical guidance when complex diagnostics meet real-world conditions.

Current MotorTech subscribers can access the feature for only

events are designed to showcase the system’s capabilities in assisting you and your business along with previewing future updates.

Regularly held MotorTech online training sessions are also available, or you can request a tailored onsite session for you and your staff. You can also learn more about the product through VACC Tech Talk magazine, Tech Tip videos, and the MotorTech website. These resources provide valuable insights and practical demonstrations to help you maximize the benefits of Info by Rego and the Motortech suite of products.

For the automotive industry, this may be the next big shift. Just as the introduction of workshop management systems transformed business operations years ago, ‘Info by Rego’ is redefining how workshops approach diagnostics and service, bringing precision, speed, and clarity to the heart of every job.

To learn more or upgrade your MotorTech subscription, visit the official MotorTech website or call the Team on 1300 130 116 (AU) 0800 024 192 (NZ).

BREAKING THE MOULD

How Cavalo is redefining the dealership experience

In an industry steeped in tradition, Melbourne's newest prestige car dealer is tearing up the rulebook. Cavalo Prestige isn't just another showroom – it's a bold reimagining of what a dealership can be, and a reflection of its equally unconventional founder.

The story begins, fittingly, over dinner at a Melbourne Italian restaurant. Wes Maas, alongside industry veterans Cameron Pascoe and Hass Fahd, found themselves sketching out plans for the ultimate prestige car destination. As the evening progressed,

they settled on a name: Cavalo –Portuguese for 'horse', a nod to the thoroughbred vehicles they would champion. In a twist of serendipity, they later discovered the restaurant owners shared the surname Cavallo. Sometimes, fate chooses your path.

With regular Cars & Coffee mornings and various events planned, Cavalo is positioning itself as more than a business – it's becoming a community for prestige enthusiasts.

Six months later, that vision has materialised into one of Australia's largest prestige dealerships.

Spanning 1.8 hectares in Melbourne's Docklands, the facility houses up to 500 prestige vehicles across multiple showrooms. But what truly sets Cavalo apart isn't just its scale – it's the philosophy behind it.

"We wanted to give people an extraordinary experience... to build every single part of the business to be the best," explains Maas, the majority owner and driving force behind the venture.

That extraordinary experience extends far beyond car sales. Visitors to Cavalo's 99 Lorimer Street address are greeted by a comprehensive ecosystem that includes a 21-hoist service centre, specialist finance department, hand car wash, café run by the renowned Roasting Warehouse, podcast studio where Sooshi Mango records weekly, and even a 25-seat cinema. The message is clear: this isn't somewhere you merely purchase a vehicle – it's a destination.

While many dealers focus on specific segments, Cavalo's inventory spans the entire prestige spectrum – from practical luxury SUVs to rare collector's pieces and everything in between. Their acquisition team sources hundreds of vehicles monthly, creating a constantly refreshed inventory that keeps enthusiasts coming back. Perhaps most telling is how they've approached servicing, sometimes seen as a necessary evil by many owners. Cavalo's service centre offers genuine prestige maintenance across all major marques, with early drop-offs, loan cars, and local pick-up available. It's this attention to customer experience that exemplifies their disruptive approach. Behind this bold venture stands a rather unlikely figure. Wes Maas isn't your typical dealership owner. Better known as the founder and CEO of the $1.5 billion ASX-listed Maas Group, his entrepreneurial journey began humbly with a $14,000 bank loan, a bobcat and a tip truck. Based in regional NSW, Maas built one of Australia's most successful construction and

Cavalo Prestige leadership team: Wes Maas, Cameron Pascoe and Hass Fahd.

property businesses before turning his attention to the automotive world.

"We had about 10 or 15 first meetings, worked each other out, and made sure we were aligned in culture and values," Maas recalls of his initial meetings with Pascoe and Fahd. That alignment proved crucial, bringing together three individuals with complementary strengths.

Pascoe, the CEO and Managing Director, contributes over three decades of industry experience, having previously launched and grown the Port Motor Traders group. As General Manager of Retail, Fahd brings his reputation as one of the industry's most influential figures, with a proven track record in prestige dealership leadership. Together, this trio balances ambitious vision with executional expertise – but it's their shared commitment to doing things differently that truly defines the Cavalo experience.

Since opening in March 2025, Cavalo has quickly established itself as a genuine disruptor. A growing roster of ambassadors, including Jimmy

Bartel, James Hird, and Sooshi Mango, speaks to their cultural ambitions, while community partnerships like their sponsorship of Port Melbourne Football Club demonstrate their local commitment.

With regular Cars & Coffee mornings and various events planned, Cavalo is positioning itself as more than a business – it's becoming a community for prestige enthusiasts.

"What we've done so far is pretty amazing, the team is unreal," Maas reflects. It's hard to argue with his assessment. In an industry often resistant to change, Cavalo Prestige has arrived with swagger and substance, determined to carve out its own path rather than following established norms.

For Maas, whose passion for fine cars drove him to enter an entirely new industry, this is just the beginning. Cavalo Prestige represents both a culmination of dreams shared over that fateful dinner and an opening chapter in what promises to be a fascinating disruption of the Australian automotive landscape.

How our investments help grow Australia’s economy and your retirement

At CareSuper, every dollar that’s in your super is invested to help grow your retirement savings. But that’s not all. Our investments can also help grow our communities—they can build businesses, create jobs, and strengthen Australia’s economy.

Investing in Australia’s growth

Super funds contribute over $82 billion a year to Australia’s economy—and that number is set to grow.1 These investments power businesses, fund infrastructure, and drive innovation. CareSuper focuses on long-term growth, aiming to ensure your retirement savings work for you while seeking new investment opportunities across all of Australia that are expected to contribute to achieving our portfolio objectives and be in members’ best financial interests.

Real impact: CareSuper investments across Australia

We invest in real assets across the country, including infrastructure and property.

Supporting key projects such as:   Hobart Airport – a $200 million terminal expansion and runway upgrades to increase domestic and international flights.

GeelongPort - Victoria’s premier bulk port and a major driver of Victoria’s economy managing 12 million tonnes of cargo and $7 billion of trade annually.

And we’re investing in other parts of Australia, too. Our commitment to seeking opportunities in key industries in infrastructure and property fuels our growth nationwide.

A major player in the Australian share market

We’re also an active investor in Australian listed companies, helping to provide selected businesses with the support they need to expand and thrive. When businesses succeed, they create jobs and drive innovation—and that helps everyone.  Creating jobs and supporting communities

Our investments don’t just aim to grow wealth—they may also create opportunity. Super funds can provide stable, long-term capital to businesses, allowing them to hire, innovate, and expand. Our investment in infrastructure projects like roads, rail, and energy developments can create thousands of jobs, and additionally our investments in venture capital can support start-ups and emerging industries. A strong super system can mean more stable employment and a more resilient economy.

A super system that’s built to last Australia’s super system is globally recognised as one of the best. Recent analysis by the Super Members Council found that it is the fastest growing super system globally, growing at twice the rate of our international

peers. The Australian system has the fourth largest pool of pension assets internationally and only sits behind the UK, Canada and the US.  We are expected to rise to second in the world by 2031. 2 Even in uncertain times, CareSuper stays focused on long-term growth and stability.

At Super Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C., and New York, industry leaders from Australia and the United States explored investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy, and capital markets. CareSuper Chair, Linda Scott took the opportunity to ask United States Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent what he thought of our super system. His response? Strong praise. He called out its sustainability, steady growth, and reliable inflows as key strengths.  Grow your retirement, strengthen Australia’s economy

At CareSuper, your super is more than just savings for your retirement—it’s an investment in your future and a potential window into Australia’s growth. At CareSuper, we’re committed to delivering strong, long-term returns and, while achieving this, some of our investments may also help build a stronger economy. See how your super is working for you, find out more at caresuper.com.au.

2 https://smcaustralia.com/news/australians-super-savings-on-track-to-become-second-largest-globally-by-the-early-2030s/ CareSuper Pty Ltd (Trustee) (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718). CareSuper (Fund) (ABN 74 559 365 913). Any advice is provided by CareSuper Advice Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443). Consider the PDS and TMD at caresuper. com.au/pds. A copy of the Financial services guide for CareSuper is available at caresuper.com.au/fsg/   This is general information only and doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision about CareSuper, you should consider if this information is right for you. You may also wish to consult a licensed financial adviser.    All information, rates and/or fees are current at the time of production and are subject to change. Changes to government legislation and superannuation rules made after this time may affect the accuracy of the information provided. You may wish to obtain professional advice before acting on any of the information contained in this document. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of investments can rise or fall, and investment returns can be positive or negative.

TOOL OF THE YEAR

THE BG EXPERIENCE APP

Local Family Business Celebrates Half Century as VACC Member

In a modest workshop on the outskirts of Castlemaine, where the scent of engine oil mingles with rural air, a significant milestone was marked without fanfare. Doug Parsons, whose name has become synonymous with reliable automotive service in the region, stood beside his long-serving staff as VACC Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones presented him with a certificate acknowledging 50 years of membership. The workshop remained operational around them – a car on the hoist, another awaiting panel repairs, phones ringing with local inquiries – embodying the practical, no-nonsense approach that has kept this family business thriving since 1974. For the community that depends on their vehicles to navigate vast distances, Parsons Motor and Body Shop represents more than just repairs; it's a cornerstone of local infrastructure.

"It's businesses like Parsons Motor and Body Shop that represent the backbone of our industry," said Jones during the presentation. "Their dedication to quality service, community values, and adaptation to changing times exemplifies what we stand for at VACC. Fifty years of continuous membership is an extraordinary achievement."

Founded by Doug Parsons and his wife

in 1974, this Castlemaine institution has evolved into a comprehensive automotive hub comprising four complementary divisions: a wrecking yard, towing service, mechanical workshop and smash repairs. This diversification has provided stability through economic fluctuations—when one division experiences a slowdown, the others help maintain the business's equilibrium.

"Understanding the specific needs of regional customers has been central to our longevity," explains Parsons. "In a tight-knit community like Castlemaine, word travels fast. We've built our reputation on exceptional customer service and straight dealing—whether with insurance companies or private customers."

and vehicles must remain operational. The business employs a dedicated team across its various divisions, with family members playing key roles throughout the operation. This familyoriented structure naturally extends to their customer approach, fostering the kind of personalised service and relationship-building that defines smalltown commerce, where clients are neighbours rather than just customers.

Perhaps most impressive is the business's innovative sustainability initiatives. They collect waste oil from all their repair operations and burn it to heat the premises during Castlemaine's notoriously cold winters—simultaneously reducing waste disposal costs and heating expenses.

The wrecking yard has become an integral part of their operation, undergoing significant investment to maintain modern standards. This resource not only supports their own repair work but serves the wider community through the supply of quality recycled parts—a particularly valuable service in rural areas where new components can mean lengthy delivery delays.

The smash repair workshop reflects the Parsons family's commitment to quality while retaining the personal touch. Despite having state-of-the-art equipment for both repairs and paint work, Doug maintains that technology can never replace the value of experience and craftsmanship—a philosophy that resonates with their local clientele. What distinguishes this regional business is its adaptability and comprehensive approach. While metropolitan workshops often specialise in particular makes or services, Parsons caters to everything from family cars to farm vehicles and commercial trucks—a necessity in an area where transport options are limited

Future plans include installing water tanks to capture and reuse washing water, planting gardens to enhance street appeal, and asphalting their three-acre yard to minimise dust contamination in the workshop.

Like many businesses in regional areas, Parsons faces challenges recruiting specialised technicians. However, their commitment to training the next generation is evident in their apprenticeship programme, which encourages young locals to enter the repair trades.

"We're incredibly proud of our 50-year association with VACC," Parsons reflects.

"But we're equally proud of our relationship with the Castlemaine community. When you've been serving the same families for generations, you develop a special connection that goes beyond business."

As Parsons Motor and Body Shop looks to the future, they remain committed to the values that have sustained them for half a century: quality workmanship, exceptional customer service, and a deep understanding of regional customers' needs—precisely what you'd expect from a business that has become an integral part of Castlemaine's community fabric.

Legacy of Excellence: Golf Link Motors Celebrates 50 Years with VACC

The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) recently honoured long-standing members

John and Heather Coghill of Golf Link Motors in Rochester, celebrating 50 remarkable years of membership and service to the automotive industry.

The VACC team visited the Coghills to recognise their fantastic contribution to both the Chamber and the industry more broadly.

From Farm Boy to Automotive Legend

John's journey began far from the workshop floor. Born in Bendigo where he helped his father on the family poultry farm, John embarked on an apprenticeship at just 15 years old. While attending Bendigo Technical College, he worked at Nankervis Motors, a business then known for buses and car sales and service, which later became renowned for high-performance boat engines.

At 22, John felt the pull of country life and purchased a share farm at Lancaster, which he operated for approximately five years before acquiring his own dairy farm in Gigarre. For six years, he managed his dairy herd and supplied milk to the local community.

The Call of the Wrench

The distinctive sound of tools eventually drew John back to the automotive world. He purchased what was then a British Motor Corporation (BMC) dealership in Rochester—a business he

continues to operate 52 years later. With strategic vision, John gradually transformed the business toward farm machinery specialisation, securing a Fiat farm machinery dealership, followed by a Kubota dealership. His tractor repair and maintenance expertise earned him an outstanding reputation, particularly within the local Italian community and beyond. The early days weren't without challenges. Heather Coghill recalls the formative years when their three young boys would wrestle on the dealership office sofa—a testament to the familyoriented business they were building.

A Workshop Frozen in Time John's workshop remains a fascinating blend of old, new, and custommade tooling that provides a glimpse into a different era of automotive dealerships rarely seen today.

During the visit, VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym was captivated by the workshop memorabilia, particularly a handwritten note likely dating back to 1965—before John acquired the dealership. The note, which sits above a carefully preserved fan belt, reads: "Princess R Only. do not sell to anyone." This artefact, referring to an Austin Princess purchased by the local doctor in 1947, remains exactly where it was placed decades ago, though the vehicle itself has long since disappeared.

A Family Legacy Continues

The Coghill automotive tradition continues through the generations. Today, John's son Craig works in the business, carrying forward his father's exceptional skill in automotive technology. The legacy extends further with Craig's youngest son Matt, who works as a tractor mechanic in nearby Echuca.

As the VACC team concluded their visit, they encountered Justin, one of the Coghills' grandchildren, who teaches at the school across the road from the workshop. Heather proudly noted, "If you run a great business in Rochester, you'll have a great life and you're home in three minutes."

With characteristic good humour, Heather added, "I have thought about getting air conditioning in the workshop and office, but given we've been here for 52 years without it, I think we should be OK."

VACC Vice President Paul Bertoli thanked John for his long and dedicated membership of the VACC,

Super Q&A

CareSuper’s Education Specialist and super expert Terry Bryan answers your super-related questions.

Answer: Great question! Yes, using your superannuation can be a smart way to save on tax, and here’s how it works.

Called concessional (before-tax) contributions these include employer contributions (like the super guarantee), any salary-sacrificed contributions or personal deductible contributions you make. These are taxed at 15% within the super fund, which is usually lower than your personal income tax rate. You can receive before-tax contributions of up to $30,000 during the 2024-25 financial year. This includes your employer contributions.

You can also use the carry-forward rule to catch up on your before-tax contributions from previous years. If your total super balance was less than $500,000 at the end of the previous financial year, you can exceed your cap by carrying forward any unused portions from the previous 5 years.

Learn more about the different types of super contributions and contribution caps at caresuper.com.au/contributions

If you have a super related question, we can help. Send us a message at caresuper.com.au/contactus or call us on 1800 005 166

About Terry

Terry Bryan is a seasoned superannuation expert with over 20 years of experience helping Australians secure their financial futures. As an Education Specialist at CareSuper, Terry supports members to better understand their super and finances, so they can live their best possible lives when they retire.

Take your financial knowledge to the next level.

Visit our education hub at caresuper.com.au/ education-hub

Julie, 43, Devonport

Level up your money game

OurAuto Insurance. What is Motor Trade Pack Insurance?

As a business owner, insurance for your assets and operational liabilities is a key consideration to be protected from the unexpected.

For the automotive industry, the standard insurance cover available is generally a Motor Trade Pack policy. This broad insurance solution is designed to help cover businesses for the unique risk exposures faced by the industry.

This type of product provides a packaged policy solution which allows a business to obtain cover based on its individual business needs and specific operational risk requirements.

Whilst Motor Trade Pack policies can vary between different insurers, we’ve created a summary of the typical sections incorporated in a Motor Trade Pack policy for the automotive industry.

Material Loss or Damage

Designed to help cover physical loss or damage to your business assets (e.g. building, contents and stock), at your premises from certain sudden, unexpected or unforeseen occurrences (Perils e.g. Fire, Storm Damage).

Noting, Flood Cover is typically excluded from standard products.

Business Interruption

Helps cover loss of income to your business as a result of material damage to your property and can assist with additional increased costs of working.

Glass

Helps cover the costs of replacing internal or external glass that is accidentally damaged or broken (e.g. windows including advertising signs).

Burglary

Helps cover loss of your contents and stock due to theft from forcible and violent entry to your premises.

Money

Designed to help cover your business’s money whilst on your premises and in transit.

Public and Product Liability

If you accidentally injure a third party, such as a client, or damage their property (including vehicles), you may be liable to compensate them for their loss or injury, and any subsequent legal costs incurred.

Customer Motor Vehicle

Helps cover customer motor vehicles on your property that are damaged or stolen.

Accidental damage cover is also available if an incident occurs when moving a vehicle on your

business premises or even test driving on public roads.

Computer Electronic Equipment

Helps cover breakdown of electronic equipment at your premises (e.g. photocopiers, computers, POS).

General Property (Special Risks)

Designed to help cover loss or damage to portable property (e.g. laptops).

Tax Audit

Helps cover Accountant’s Fees in connection with an audit of your business conducted by the Australian Taxation Office.

Machinery Breakdown

Machinery such as hoists are critical to your business. Machinery breakdown insurance can help cover any sudden or unforeseen breakdowns of your equipment that is housed on your business premises.

Professional Risks

Designed to help cover costs and expenses arising from incorrect advice (such as incorrect issuing of a road-worthiness certificate).

The VACC have partnered with Marsh to design better packaged policies; fairer pricing and cover that is inclusive of all businesses regardless of size and risk profile. Marsh has a dedicated Auto broker team, with the expertise to understand your business requirements.

For more information scan the QR code below to learn more.

Liability and customer vehicle risks

• Damage due to faulty workmanship

• Negligence by contractor/subcontractor

• Driving risks

• Authorised vehicle inspections

Management risks

• Breaches in employment

• Unfair or wrongful dismissal

• Harassment or discrimination

• Wrongful acts as an owner/director

• Statutory fines & penalties (e.g. OH&S breaches)

Property risks

• Business interruption

• Fire & storm

• Machinery breakdown

• Theft & money

• Glass

Cyber risks

• Data breaches

• Cyber attacks

• Contingent business interruption

• Phishing attacks

RESISTANCE

WORDS Paul Tuzson

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE CHANGE IS COMING TO CAR DEALERSHIPS

There used to be people who didn’t like shopping online. They’d say things like, I need to see it in person, I want to feel it, smell it etc. It was common to hear them say “I’ll never buy that online”, whatever “that” might have been. However, as the practice of finding and buying things online has permeated all areas of our lives, the resistance of even the most dedicated Luddites is crumbling, with good reason. Anyone not moving forward in step with the commercially ubiquitous technology of online buying, is moving backwards. This is as true for automotive dealerships as it is in any other area of life. In times past those who wanted a car, either new or used, began their search in the classifieds and with a visit to a local, or close to local, car dealer to kick some tyres and begin to dance. These days, as dealers well know, the ‘just looking’ phase begins on line. And as more and more services move to phone or tablet the number of opportunities to engage with potential customers is enormously reduced, perhaps even to just one. Indeed, when Tesla started disrupting the industry with direct to consumer sales it managed to get the pre-delivery person to person engagement number down to zero.

Embracing the technologies that consumers are using is the only way forward for automotive dealers. This is fairly common knowledge and all dealerships have had a digital presence for some years. Some of their sites are engaging and easy to navigate, some aren’t. Having a digital strategy means making the customer experience as informative, smooth, helpful and even entertaining as possible. Dealers need to build sites that potential customers don’t want to leave. An online presence is more than just a means of steering potential customers into the arms of conventional sales staff for the age-old bargaining two-step. A couple of examples of the current car buying paradigm follow. Mal is about thirty, environmentally conscious, and just as importantly, wanted to reduce his fuel bill. He definitely wanted a brand new hybrid for those reasons. However, purchase price was

equally important. He searched online for the cheapest new hybrid available, found it and made the first visit to the dealer for a test drive. He says he would have bought it then and there if the price had been right. It wasn’t and the dealer wouldn’t budge, so he walked. A day or two later the dealer contacted him and arranged a second visit. Some things are highly predictable and people are catching on. He got it for $4000 less than the first price which was great for Mal, not so great for the dealer. It’s worth noting that when he went for the test drive the battery pack hadn’t been charged. Then, when he arrived to take possession the pack still hadn’t been charged. We’re not mentioning names but we will say that in this technologically competitive environment details like this don’t help to win repeat customers. Then again,

these days it’s probably a bit quaint to believe in customer loyalty to a family owned dealership.

Ron is also about thirty, technologically savvy and wanted a second-hand van for work. He prefers to buy his cars from dealers because he sees the warranty as worthwhile and really values avoiding the pain of private sales. That some people feel this way is doubtless encouraging for dealers. More to the point, though, is that the path to ownership began with an online search. After entering a slew of information, the site contacted him with a selection of models that matched his criteria. He booked a test drive and was happy with the vehicle. The online search had shown that the price was reasonable and although he tried bargaining, his heart wasn’t in it. He’s one of the world’s truly

nice guys. He felt that the dealer had all the cards, particularly when he was shown several e-mails from other potential buyers. We assume they were valid. His second visit was to take possession. As it turned out, the vehicle ended up having some serious issues but fortunately, the warranty covered them and now, he’s very happy. These examples demonstrate what’s pretty obvious to all dealers - these days it all starts online and doesn’t extend a lot further. You’re not going to have as much opportunity to get to know your potential customers and convince them of anything much. The industry has changed, right? Well, not quite. That statement is in the present perfect tense, whereas it should be in the present continuous. The industry is still changing, even more rapidly than before. We’ve written about AI many times over the years. It’s permeating our lives to the extent that it’s difficult to avoid covering the subject repeatedly. The way ‘intelligent’ web-based systems are putting customers and sellers together in both the used and new car markets is unprecedented. Again, that’s all fairly obvious to any active dealership. However, while personal web crawling for cars is much more efficient than physically visiting multiple dealerships, search is starting to become a bit annoying for some time-poor, impatient people. To the cynical, it’s actually becoming passé. So, what’s the next step?

AI agents have become a popular topic in fairly recent times. Before we discuss them in detail, it’s important to review the consequences of AI and LLMs (Large Language Models) in particular. AI empowered systems can analyse all

related (in human minds, anyway) using extremely capable algorithms in unison with neural networks and deep learning. Collectively, all these AI technologies are subsets of generative AI, or GenAI for short.

The synthetic inferences AI systems generate can be strong marketing and sales juju. LLMs in particular are unique because their conversational nature results in customers making direct statements about their interests, preferences and intentions. What’s more, in the case of the Google LLM called Gemini, the conversations are stored by Google and can be recalled for various purposes that align with relevant laws and Google’s Privacy Policy. Users can delete their conversations at any time, choose auto deletion after a nominated period, or choose retention. This amounts to opt-in or opt-out confidentiality that doesn’t contravene privacy laws as long as a user consents.

We’re fairly sure that more and more people are going to allow personal privacy laws to be relaxed in particular instances because of the personal benefits available from having marketing and sales systems know more about them. This journalist, at least, wants completely tailored advertising and nothing

irrelevant. This is particularly important as online search results become increasingly polluted with advertising scattershot. It’s like online advertisers are reverting to television strategies. Don’t do that. Avoiding it is certainly worth the selective sacrificing of one’s personal privacy. To continue, the basic definition of a personal AI agent is a system that knows all about a customer and can make autonomous real-world decisions about what that user wants. Using an AI agent to buy a car would simply require a prompt, probably entered verbally, that could say as little as “I need a newer car”. Who knows, it may even have been overheard while eavesdropping on a conversation with one of your friends. The agent would know the customer’s preferences, needs, location, financial capacity and then determine what vehicles of the appropriate type are available, where they are, the price the customer can afford, the finance choices available, etc. It could even book a test drive autonomously because it will know the customer’s diary and the dealer’s salespeople’s schedules. This is not pie in the sky. It’s coming soon, to a person near you. It will almost certainly

“...these days it’s probably a bit quaint to believe in customer loyalty to a family owned dealership.”

arrive even before truly autonomous cars are with us. Some simpler versions of it exist now, limited only by the fact that the world hasn’t yet caught up. Digital technology is enabling personalised demand and service in all areas of sales. Car retailing is under increasing and irreversible pressure to serve this new paradigm. Still, the basic concept is not new. Catering to diverse individuality has always been part of selling cars. The car salesperson’s job has always been to interpret those diverse needs and provide what the customer wants. It’s been a person-to-person skill, but now it’s AI-to-person, or considering the personal AI agents outlined above, even an AI-to-AI world. Whoever meets these challenges most effectively will win. Some are doing better than others.

To state the obvious once again, Chinese brands are starting their rise to local dominance. Generative AI is an integral part of their strategy. Data from a McKinsey & Company report on the advantages GenAI offers to automotive sales organisations stated that in China about 90% of companies had started examining the potential advantages of GenAI. In the US the figure was about 50% and in Europe, around 30%. That was a couple of years ago. Chinese companies are often accused of utilising imitation to get ahead. While that may be true in many cases, just as many Chinese companies are innovative and willing to try new ideas. Just as many again utilise hybrids of these approaches. The McKinsey analysis suggests that they’re willing to risk uncertain financial benefits and potential failure by introducing advanced approaches early rather than trying to achieve perfection before implementation. This approach is reminiscent of Microsoft’s former CEO Steve Ballmer who constantly pressed the idea “We’ve got to be first boys”. It can be a driver for spectacular success. It’s also worth noting that many Chinese companies

are capable of excellent engineering. Often, ACES (Autonomous driving, Connectivity, Electrification, Shared mobility) factors are also cited as drivers of technologically oriented automotive sales. Of these, shared mobility is the biggest threat to current dealership models. Trends in Europe indicate that young people just aren’t that interested in owning cars. And famously, in the US over half of New Yorkers have never owned a car.

While cars are more necessary in Australia because of the distances we tend to drive, we’re also becoming a much more urban society, and young Australians are increasingly using ride-sharing services. In this type of market fleet operators will obviously become the customers rather than individuals. There will also be fewer cars sold overall. In such a world DTC transactions between manufacturers and corporate bulk buyers will become dominant. We predicted that a decade ago. It’s true that digital technology is going to change dealerships into the future, which is all very interesting. But the elephant in the room for dealerships now is, of course, the relationships they have with car manufacturers. The current longstanding arrangement for retail car sales is expensive for manufacturers. Analysts have been suggesting for some time that change is needed for brand survival. Some car manufacturers seem to agree and have shown that they’re willing to try new approaches to the detriment of the decades old status quo, at least tentatively.

While Honda Australia was the first to adopt an agency based sales model in Australia, Mercedes-Benz soon followed. However, it’s been interesting to track the

sales of these brands in the aftermath of their changes. Around the world other manufacturers are trialing the agency approach in more limited measure to gauge the effects. While the abrupt and imposed change to the dealership model here has proven costly to market share, it remains to be seen if the approach will eventually reap dividends for the manufacturers imposing it.

As competition in the automotive sales space intensifies, and particularly in the face of further imposed agency sales ‘agreements’, dealers will have to rely on other revenue streams. These days service departments are already a significant contributor to overall dealership profitability. Under agency models this is likely to become even more so. AI technology and virtual reality will transform workshop practice. Service technicians will have access to information and procedural guidance in ways that are just dreams at present. Advances like augmented reality guidance

through service and repair procedures, training and automated work verification will provide a foundation to support premium charges for superior service. It remains to be seen how much of that technology car companies and dealers (or agencies) will be forced to share. While access to the fundamental information and special tools needed to work on a vehicle will remain legislatively guaranteed, sophisticated means of applying it (that are not absolutely necessary for the work) may not have to be. A dealership might supply information to independent repairers and workshops in perfectly usable form, but retain exclusive control of technologically advanced methods of utilising it. That’s probably one for future courts to decide. They say change is inevitable but that doesn’t mean it’s always welcome. As always, some will find ways to benefit from it, some won’t. Businesses that prepare imaginatively and early will be best placed to make the most of what very much seems to be inevitable.

Diagram 1

RANGER/BT50 2.2L

& 3.2L: EGR

VALVE & COOLER REPLACEMENT

EGR valves and EGR coolers problems are now one of the more common jobs in the modern automotive repair workshop. Some are easy to replace, others like the Puma engines found in the Ford Transit, Ranger and Everest and the Mazda BT50 are not, as you can’t even see them. This article will give you the procedure to replace the EGR valve and cooler with some extra tips from the trade to make this fiddly job a little bit easier, but it is still a pain.

The EGR Valve

The EGR valve on both the 2.2L and 3.2L versions is located on the LH side rear of the engine, and it is a stepper motor actuator type. See Diagram 1

The PCM monitors this system and will record DTCs if it detects an electrical fault or if the valve is stuck open or closed. For a listing of these codes and the testing procedures and wiring diagrams, log on to VACC’s MotorTech and search in Tech Online or Haynes

Pro sections. Like many other systems the EGR valve and its pipes and passages can become blocked with carbon, so you must ensure that all passages are clear before fitting a new unit.

The EGR Cooler

The hassle with the EGR cooler on these engines is it mounted at the back of the head and in the Ranger and BT50 variants and RWD Transits is tight up against the firewall which makes it hard to see and tricky to replace. See Diagram 1

It looks easy with the engine out.

EGR Valve EGR Cooler

The EGR cooler is mounted at the rear of the cylinder head. It is tricky but can be replaced with the engine and transmission in the vehicle.

Some in the trade state that it is relatively easy to remove bonnet, wipers and cowl to give you some more room and to see behind the head.

Diagram 2 – Worst case scenario

A cylinder full of coolant could bend the con rod. Check for this potential problem when you are assessing the engine for damage if it has been overheated.

Like other EGR coolers on various vehicles, these have a tendency to split and leak coolant which in turn can lead to the engine overheating and blowing the head gasket. Mostly the coolant ends up going into the exhaust. Still, in some worst-case scenarios, the coolant has entered the combustion chamber and hydraulically locked the engine and bent the connecting rods. See Diagram 2

Diagram 4 – EGR Cooler

Part No. FB3Z9F464A

Diagram 3 – LH front inner guard cover

If you have a vehicle that you suspect has a blown head gasket, it is recommended to test the EGR cooler first by temporarily bypassing the coolant hoses to the cooler and checking if exhaust gases are entering the cooling system. Check with the engine hot and cold as they might leak, or not, depending on temperature. If the head gasket passes, you should replace the EGR cooler.

Diagram 5 – EGR Cooler with Bypass Valve

Part No. FB3Q9U443AB

Remove this cover improve the access to the EGR valve and cooler.

If the head gasket is at fault, you should replace the EGR cooler at the same time to ensure it does not cause any problems in the near future. To complicate the story, there are two possible types of EGR cooler which might be fitted to these vehicles. One is a simple EGR cooler with a part No. FB3Z9F464A which seems to be the most common. See Diagram 4

The other is an EGR cooler with a vacuum-operated bypass valve and bypass coolant passage with a part No. FB3Z9U433B See Diagram 5

There is no particular date range or model difference for each, so you will have to supply the VIN to the dealer or have a look at the unit first before ordering. The replacement procedure is still tricky and possibly worse for the one with the bypass valve is it is bigger with more stuff on it.

EGR Valve Removal

1. Safely raise the vehicle.

2. Drain the cooling system.

3. Remove the LH front wheel.

4. Remove the inner guard cover. See Diagram 3

5. Disconnect the wiring harness from the EGR valve. See Diagram 7

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6. Remove the two bolts which attach the EGR outlet pipe to the intake manifold. See Diagram 6

7. Remove the coolant hoses which attach to the EGR valve. See Diagram 7

8. Remove the two bolts which attach the EGR valve to the EGR cooler. See Diagram 7

9. Remove the EGR valve and outlet pipe from the engine. See Diagram 6

10. Remove the outlet pipe from the valve and discard all O-rings and gaskets.

EGR Valve Installation

1. Fit the outlet pipe to the new EGR valve with a new gasket and tighten the nuts in two steps, 1st: 5 Nm, 2nd: 10 Nm. See Diagram 6

2. Fit a new O-ring to the outlet pipe and lubricate it with clean engine oil.

3. Fit the EGR valve and pipe into position with a new gasket between the valve and cooler. Fit the bolts finger tight at the cooler and intake manifold ends.

4. Tighten the bolts between the valve and the cooler to 23 Nm. See Diagram 7

5. Tighten the bolts between the outlet pipe and the intake manifold to 10 Nm. See Diagram 6

6. Refit the coolant hoses to the EGR valve. See Diagram 7

7. Reattach the wiring harness to the EGR valve. See Diagram 7

8. Refit the inner guard cover. See Diagram 3

9. Refit the wheel and tighten the wheel nuts to 103 Nm.

10. Refill and bleed the cooling system, pressure test. See page 4991

EGR Cooler Removal

This is the tricky part. Some technicians suggest that it is relatively easy to remove the bonnet, wipers, the plastic cover and the scuttle/ cowl plate. Once these are removed, it will give you some more room to see what you are doing from above. Others suggest removing the transmission and tackle it from below. You will have to use your professional judgement. What you will need are lots of socket extensions, ratchet spanners, patience and possibly small hands. It is also recommended to invest in a pair of remote hose clamp pliers. This will make the task of removing and refitting the spring hose clamps on the EGR

Some technicians recommend to remove the EGR valve with this pipe still attached.

This pipe mounts to the bottom of the EGR valve.

Diagram 6 – EGR to Intake Manifold Pipe

Remove these bolts from the intake manifold. There will be an extension of this pipe that goes into the manifold.

Diagram 7 – EGR Valve View

Remove and fuel lines or wiring harnesses and bracket out of your way to assist you in removing the valve.

Remove these two hoses

Remove these two bolts

EGR valve wiring connector

cooler at the back of the head far less frustrating. See Diagram 10 The following step are based on the O.E. workshop manual.

1. Remove the EGR valve with the steps listed earlier.

2. Remove the heat shield from the rear of the exhaust manifold. See Diagram 9

3. If the EGR cooler is the type with the bypass valve, there will be a clamp that attaches the cooler to the exhaust manifold which will need to be removed. See Diagram 3

4. If the EGR is the type without the bypass valve, there will be three bolts to be removed. Discard the gasket. See Diagram 9

5. Remove the two hose clamps from the cooler. It is recommended to replace these hoses now while you are in there. See Diagram 10

6. The EGR cooler can now be wiggled out on the intake side and out via the inner guard. See Diagram 3

Diagram 8 EGR Cooler End View

The exhaust gasses pass through these pipe which are surrounded by engine coolant. This suspicious brown stain could indicate that the housing has split.

Installation

1. Slide the new EGR cooler into place via the inner guard with any new gaskets supplied.

2. Fit all bolts finger tight.

3. Then tighten the EGR cooler to the exhaust manifold bolts to 23 Nm. See Diagram 9

NOTE: This is the same tension stated for the clamp type.

4. Tighten the EGR cooler to the EGR valve to 23 Nm. See Diagram 10

5. Refit the coolant hoses to the cooler.

6. Refit the EGR valve to the specifications stated earlier.

7. It is important to bleed the cooling system to remove any airlocks as we have heard cases of EGR coolers being damaged soon after replacement from

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Diagram 9 – EGR Cooler to Exhaust Manifold

Remove the heat shields from the turbo and exhaust manifold. Then depending on the type of cooler there could be three bolts or a clamp to remove.

overheating. Using a vacuum coolant refiller is recommended and following the bleeding procedure which can be found in the Ranger Haynes AllAcess Manual, Chapter 1, Section 26, “Cooling system servicing”.

8. Check for fault codes and repair or clear as required.

9. Test drive.

As EGR coolers are a common failure point for these and other similar diesel vehicles there are now aftermarket EGR coolers which claim to be made from better materials and welding processes. It is recommended that you do your own research to see if this is a better option for your customer.

Diagram 10 – Removal and Replacement

For more information on the Ford and Mazda vehicles with the 2.2L and 3.2L Puma engine, log on to VACC’s MotorTech or call VACC’s Technical Advisory Service.

A pair of remote hose clamp pliers will make it easier to remove the hoses from the cooler.

Remove these 10mm bolts with a ratchet ring spanner with a swivel end.

NOTE: They will be tight

Bolt to cylinder head

Bolts to EGR valve

Clamp

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MEMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS INDEX

Becoming a VACC or TACC member opens up a wide range of special offers and discounted products and services for you and your business. VACC and TACC have collaborated with organisations which provide essential services to your business to offer special low rates for members. Couple the savings from discounted products and services with the subsidised services which VACC itself offers to members, and your annual membership can easily pay for itself. Everything from IR advice, to cheaper EFTPOS terminals to technical solutions is on offer. This guide gives you an idea of the offers which you can access, as well as a number of other collaborations.

Workplace/IR Advice

Members can access services including a call centre for employment-related questions, a web page with award rates and policy and employment fact sheets, writing of employment contracts, handbooks and policies, and member and industry representation.

03 9829 1123 | ir@vacc.com.au vacc.com.au

Auto Apprenticeships

VACC takes the hassle out of hiring trainees and apprentices, as businesses are matched with high quality candidates who meet strict selection criteria. VACC also looks after all administration, including visits by Field Officers.

03 9829 1130 autoapprenticeships@vacc.com.au autoapprenticeships.com.au

Technical Information

VACC MotorTech brings together VACC’s Tech Online, Times Guide, Tech Estimate, Technical Advisory Service and Tech Talk products with Haynes’ international know-how, to provide an enormous amount of technical service and repair information to subscribers.

03 9829 1268 | info@motortech.com.au motortech.com.au

Health Insurance

nib has a mission and vision of people enjoying better health.

VACC and TACC members (including their staff) receive a corporate discount on nib’s retail health insurance products. 1800 13 14 63 nib.com.au/corp/vacc

Bunnings PowerPass

VACC and TACC members (including their staff) can join the Bunnings PowerPass program or link their existing PowerPass account to access a range of exclusive benefits. organisationsvic@bunnings.com.au

Waste Management

Cleanaway is Australia’s largest waste management provider, offering VACC and TACC members, competitive waste solutions for their automotive business. When contacting Cleanaway please mention VACC. 13 13 99 cleanaway.com.au

OurAuto iStore

Businesses can purchase a wide range of items, including personalised stationery, consumables such as floor mats and seat covers, workplace safety signage and much more. Member businesses automatically receive a discount on purchases.

03 9829 1152 | ourautoistore.com.au

Superannuation

Spirit Super and CareSuper have merged to create a bigger and stronger Industry SuperFund for the motor trades. We have competitive fees and returns, exceptional service, and a focus on real care for our members. 1800 005 166 caresuper.com.au

EFTPOS Facility

Commonwealth Bank could provide the expertise, insights, technology and financial solutions to help your business move forward. Our Commonwealth Bank Business Banking Specialists can guide you through available business solutions to suit your business needs. 1300 013 341 | vacc.com.au

Training & Education

Members can access automotive industry-specific training programs in business management, industrial relations/human resource management, technical and OHS & Environment. Skills Development Centre also facilitates short courses, online programs and diploma and degree qualifications. 03 9829 1130 | info@vaccsdc.com.au vaccsdc.com.au

Freight Services

VACC and TACC members receive discounted rates and benefits, including trace and track capabilities, one number to call, one easy-tounderstand invoice, and online job quoting, booking and tracking. Contact VACC for an application form. 03 9829 1152 | vacc.com.au

OurAuto Diagnostic Tool

Easy-to-use diagnostic tool with class leading automotive fault technology, including seamless integration with VACC MotorTech, providing auto-detection, top range health reports and monthly updates. The Diagnostic Toolis available on a convenient monthly subscription plan. 1300 687 288 | ourautoscantool.com.au

AutoCareers

The AutoCareers jobs portal connects jobseekers with employers wanting skills and labour. VACC and TACC member businesses can advertise qualified and apprenticeship vacancies free of charge.

03 9829 1133 autoadvice@vacc.com.au autocareers.com.au

Environmental Advice

VACC members can benefit from environmental compliance advice, briefings, training and on-site assessments. Green Stamp is an accreditation program that recognises and promotes businesses which have implemented sound environmental practices. 03 9829 1117 environment@vacc.com.au greenstampplus.com.au

ATRA

Fixing transmission problems is our specialty. Whether its transmission maintenance, simple transmission repair, or a complete transmission rebuild, you can be sure there is an ATRA member nearby to help. atraaus.com.au

Zembl

Zembl is the leading energy price comparison service for Australian businesses. VACC and TACC members have access to a free energy bill review. Then Zembl works with leading retailers to find a competitive deal.

1300 915 162 zembl.com.au/partner/vacc

VACC Accreditation

VACC Accreditation is here to help drive your business forward. Achieving accreditation means a business can demonstrate it is meeting a higher standard that is valued by customers. 03 9829 1167 accreditation@vacc.com.au vacc.com.au

OH&S Services

Members can access consultation and advice on OHS issues, including incident management, policies, workers’ compensation and more. OHS specialists provide workplace assessments and training, and administer the HazCheck management system. 03 9829 1138 | ohs@vacc.com.au vacc.com.au

Officeworks

Officeworks is here to support VACC and TACC members with over 40,000 products, business services and specialist advice. Members can sign up for an Officeworks 30 Day Business Account, and enjoy exclusive business pricing and flexible delivery options. officeworks.com.au/campaigns/vacc

Sixfam

Sixfam is an experienced Telecommunications Service Provider, built on the basis to help ease the frustrations of Small, Medium and Large businesses in Australia. 03 9200 2800 | sixfam.com.au

Apprentice Helpline

VACC Helpline provides apprentices and businesses a free automotive apprenticeship sign-up and advisory service to assist all parties at any time. With years of experience and knowledge, it’s well worth a quick phone call to put you in the right direction. 03 9829 1133 | vacc.com. au autoadvice@vacc.com.au

MEMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS INDEX

Advertise here!

Partner with VACC and TACC and connect with 5,000 members. Call 0407 344 433

Auto Workplace Assist

A convenient go-to solution for supporting automotive workplace compliance needs. Health and Safety can be a complex, high risk and costly area for workplaces. AWA offers readymade, industry-specific compliance products, so that business owners can get on with the job at hand.

1300 585 136 autoworkplaceassist.com.au

Graphic Design

VACC’S Marketing department can assist members with their graphic design requirements at a subsidised rate. Services include business cards, logo re-designs, corporate image overhauls, brochures and advertisements.

03 9829 1189 creativeservices@vacc.com.au

Workplace Update

All VACC and TACC members receive Workplace Update on a monthly basis via email, with issues also available on the VACC website. The publication provides the latest news and information regarding workplace and industrial relations, OHS and environment, business obligations and training opportunities. 03 9829 1123 vacc.com.au

TACC

Founded in 1930, TACC serves the automotive industry in Tasmania and amalgamated with VACC in 1999. TACC members gain access to all of the same products and services as VACC members, however TACC also has a number of additional services for its membership.

03 6278 1611 | tacc.com.au

Insurance

Automotive business owners can access competitive solutions through OurAuto Insurance. Specifically designed to meet to the unique risk profile of the automotive industry, OurAuto Insurance can help your business access the best cover at an affordable rate.

1300 441 474 contact@ourautoinsurance.com.au

Advertising

Members receive VACC Automotive magazine as a member benefit and have access to preferential advertising rates. The VACC marketing department can help members by designing advertisements.

John Eaton 0407 344 433 jeaton@ourauto.com.au

Tech Talk

Included in VACC/TACC membership is a subscription to the Tech Talk publication, the premier technical publication of the VACC Technical Services Department since 1986. The journal is printed 11 times a year, while a back-catalogue of articles is available as part of the Tech Online website. 03 9829 1292 vacc.com.au

Test and Tagging

ETCS offers TACC members electrical service statewide, including installation, testing and tagging and assisting with OHS requirements. TACC members can access special member rates. 1300 724 001 | etcs.com.au

TACC Apprenticeships

TACC takes the hassle out of hiring trainees and apprentices, as businesses are matched with high quality candidates who meet strict selection criteria. TACC also looks after all administration aspects of the apprenticeship, including visits by Field Officers.

03 6278 1611 | tacc.com.au

Roadside Help

TACC members who want to reward their loyal customers can do so though TACC’s Roadside Help program. Members purchase vouchers to give to customers, which customers can use for free help for a flat battery, tyre change, fuel or a tow back to the member’s business.

03 6278 1611 | tacc.com.au

TACC Accreditation

TACC Accredited Repairers are promoted to the community as a group of professional businesses who deliver high quality repairs and services. Participating members enter into a contract with TACC to deliver a more professional level of service. TACC promotes these members.

03 6278 1611 | tacc.com.au

You could save on merchant fees^.

With Commonwealth Bank, VACC members can take advantage of preferential rates on credit and debit card merchant fees. Whether you’re a small or large business, the savings you could be making in merchant fees could be invested in other areas of your business, like purchasing equipment, employing staff or online marketing.

How much could you save?

When comparing credit and debit card merchant fee charges for VACC members versus non-members, the savings can be surprising. We have reviewed our merchant base^ for the industry and found that on average, members processing less than $500,000 could save up to 23%.^

We can easily create a customised comparison for your business, by simply providing us your Merchant statement for one whole month.

With Commonwealth Bank, VACC can also take advantage of our latest technology with either an Essential Lite or Essential Plus device, no contracts and 24/7 support.

Here for you, for however you do business.

To find out how much you could save with Commonwealth Bank, contact VACC on 1300 013 341 or email membership@vacc.com.au and they’ll put you in touch with a Commonwealth Bank Relationship Manager.

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