LUBRICANTS.
TECHNOLOGY.
AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY JOURNAL
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By TERRY MARTIN
FORMER Toyota Australia
industrial engineer Mat Bowtell
has responded to the escalating
coronavirus pandemic by diverting
Former Toyota engineer Mat Bowtell draws on his expertise in lean resources at his internationally
manufacturing – and much more – to make face shields for Australia recognised Victorian-based charity,
Free 3D Hands, to produce face
shields for medical staff and other
frontline workers.
Just as he has applied the principles
of lean manufacturing and low-cost
production through the use of 3D
printing to create functional hands
and other assistive devices for people
born with congenital limb differences
– free of charge – after being made
redundant in 2017 with the closure
of Toyota’s car-making operations,
Mr Bowtell has again drawn on his
altruistic nature, automotive industry
expertise and a strong grassroots
support base to set up production
lines that from late last week had
ramped up to 100 face shields a day.
Using primarily local materials and
an open-source design from Prusa in
the Czech Republic that he modified
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EDITION 1018 – APR 22, 2020
to provide additional protection and
comfort after prototype testing with
infection-control staff at the nearby
Wonthaggi hospital, Mr Bowtell has
quickly developed the face shield
and the repurposed lines are now
operating from 8am to 10pm, seven
days a week, out of his small factory
in the Cowes industrial estate on
Phillip Island.
Some 450 early examples are
already in service – at hospitals,
nursing homes, supermarkets and
police stations – and a further 300
are ready for dispatch after their
three-day quarantine period. The
initial target is 2000 face shields
over a four-week period, with
another 2000 set to follow over a
slightly shorter timeframe.
They are produced using 22 3D
printers and with a budget of around
$45,000 that provides for two
workers from the local community
who had been stood down from
other businesses as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Continued next page
GoAutoNews
Continued from previous page
Some $33,000 of this has come
through crowdfunding and the rest
out of Mr Bowtell’s own pocket,
with government funding hopefully
coming through soon to offset his
personal outlay.
This new cost burden is clearly a
concern for the 39-year-old father-
of-two, who has spent much of the
past two years using his redundancy
package to establish the family-
run Free 3D Hands – as a full-time
volunteer – to the point where it
finally became a registered charity
in May last year, although he has
relied on a corporate sponsorship
and speaking engagements (the
latter now on hold) to avoid drawing
a wage from personal donations.
He has eight printers still running
to continue making his special
hands, and work continues on a low-
cost bionic arm he is developing, but
Mr Bowtell is consumed by this new
challenge with COVID-19 and finds
himself again applying skills he
learnt from his 10 years as a senior
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engineer at Toyota.
At the Japanese auto giant, he
spent almost a year on assignment in
2009 studying lean manufacturing
techniques – the heart of the Toyota
Production System (TPS) – at the
Motomachi plant in Japan and then
returned to Australia to share and
apply these ‘kaizen’ learnings in
Supplier Development, helping local
component-makers such as OzPress,
Metalsa, MHG Glass, VDMG and
APV improve processes, reduce
waste and improve quality.
He then spent the final three years
introducing 3D printing through
Toyota Australia’s production
departments – the assembly plant,
weld shop, unit parts, powertrain, etc
– which led to the implementation
of lower-cost, but more precise and
This bolstered the Altona plant’s
status as one of the best in the
Toyota world – and which makes
its closure even more heartbreaking
for those, including Mr Bowtell,
who still believe in the value of
local manufacturing and point to the
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current pandemic as evidence of the
industry’s worth.
Likening his current frenetic
operations to the intensity of a
new-model changeover at Toyota
Australia (“holding meetings while
walking”), Mr Bowtell said there
were “direct applications to what we
The better DMS company. | auto-it.com
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
are trying to do here”. on customer feedback.
“We were able to completely “3D printing really does open up a
revamp our production lines from lot of opportunities and has allowed
making hands to face shields in a us to be very agile, whereas with
number of days,” he said. “We were press tooling suppliers if you needed
able to skip the tooling process to modify a tool it was always very
altogether, and are continuously expensive with long lead times.
making design improvements based Continued next page
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PAGE 2
GoAutoNews
Wonthaggi hospital/Bass Coast Health face shield prototype testing
Continued from previous page
“Process improvement was a
massive part of my job at Toyota,
and supporting suppliers, and then
after it was announced in February
2014 that we, with Holden and
Ford, would all be closing our doors
by the end of 2017, for me during
this time I really wanted to focus
on maintaining a positive mindset
and trying to find a way that I could
use my engineering skills to help
others,” he said.
Walking out the main gate at
Altona for the last time, Mr Bowtell
– who had plenty of offers to remain
in the industry and today maintains
a positive relationship with Toyota
– no longer saw himself as simply
an auto engineer but an innovator
who could develop assistive
devices at a fraction of the cost,
and encourage others to innovate,
to make them accessible to those
who cannot currently access or
afford them.
“Fred Hollows and Nikola Tesla
have been big inspirations for
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me, driven by purpose and not by
money,” he said.
His Kinetic Finger, for example,
the design for which is freely
available online, costs about 90
cents to 3D print, yet is equivalent
to a commercial product worth
$6500. The hands cost $8 or less
and the multifunction bionic arm
currently at prototype stage will be
the equivalent of a circa-$40,000
unit but produced in Cowes for less
than $100 in parts to allow them to
be provided for free.
“We send our 3D printed hands
to people all over the world
completely free of charge, we even
pay the postage, and I just have this
fundamental belief that people born
without arms or hands shouldn’t
have to pay even one cent for
something that’s going to improve
their quality of life,” he said.
“As a society, we have a
responsibility to ensure that all
people come along on the journey.
“And from a personal perspective,
if I was going to sell it for even
better. I’ve been full of gratitude
for life and just focused on helping
people in any way that I can with the
engineering skills that I’ve got, and
it’s just completely changed my life.
“I’m also grateful that I had the
opportunity through Toyota to find
my true passion as an engineer.”
This passion is plain for all to
$10, whether it is a hand or a face see with his reaction to the COVID
shield, to me it would only be crisis, responding immediately to
worth $10. But if you give it away news of Australia’s shortage of
free of charge, with no expectation personal protective equipment (PPE)
of reward, it becomes priceless. and the federal government’s call for
“That mindset has really helped manufacturers to get involved.
me through not only the last two “The government was calling
years, but the last four or five for 10 million face shields!” he
years since the (Toyota closure) said. “Ten million! And I thought,
announcement. I’ve just never been we’ve got more than 20 3D
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EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
printers upstairs that can be easily
reconfigured to make face shields.”
With encouragement from the
Therapeutic Goods Administration
but without initial assurance of
government funding, Mr Bowtell
acted quickly to secure custom-
developed Australian-made 3D
printer filament from Aurarum in
Knoxfield, east of Melbourne, and
other materials from across the
country.
“I just realised from my
experience working with suppliers
that raw material pipelines could
dry up very quickly,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
‘Big opportunity’ – next page
Craig Warren
0417 248 884
craig@automotivepersonnel.com.au
PAGE 3
GoAutoNews EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020

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Engineers – Australasia (SAE-A) like India and Mexico,” he said.
has described the coronavirus “Not so in Australia, where we see
pandemic as an opportunity for the Ford Australia developing a surgical Nick Adamidis 0423 361 321
local car manufacturing sector to face shield, but having to do it in a Philip Galway 0401 282 321
be rebuilt in order to better respond parts distribution centre, not a car www.jato.com/australia/
to such a crisis – and to factory.”
take advantage of emerging Ford Australia is far from
industry trends. the only local operation personal protective equipment. would cost hundreds of millions of class local car industry”.
Representing more than doing its bit in the fight However, Mr Feeney said this dollars to rebuild if lost. “We have former Toyota and
2000 automotive engineers, against the spread of week that far more could be done “It’s a big opportunity, with new GM plants, too, and Ford for good
SAE-A chairman and CEO COVID-19. if the federal government threw its players and technologies emerging measure,” he said.
Adrian Feeney said Australia As GoAuto has reported, a weight behind the industry. all the time.” “Tomorrow’s car could be
has the skills and underutilised Adrian Feeney large number of component “It could all be so different if the Mr Feeney referenced almost anything – autonomous,
facilities that could be used to revive suppliers, engineering firms, government invested in reviving our the resourcefulness of other electric, all sorts of things – and
the car manufacturing industry, speciality manufacturers, racing car industry, starting with engineers, manufacturers like Tesla Motors, Australian engineers are renowned
building advanced vehicles for global teams, industry bodies and a variety and ultimately full-scale specialist which set up shop and went into full for the flexible thinking these new
consumption and turning to specialist of other individuals and organisations manufacturing,” he said. production in a former GM-Toyota technologies require.”
medical equipment in times of crisis. connected to the automotive sector “We have that capacity right factory in California.
“Car manufacturers around the are actively involved in assisting now – engineers, proving grounds, He also said Australia could be FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
world are making masks, ventilators in the production of much-needed factories and other facilities – that the home of a “resurgent, world- Ford deployment – next page
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GoAutoNews
Ford deployment
Blue Oval expands medical equipment supply
operations in US to gowns using airbag material
By CALLUM HUNTER
FORD Motor Company is
continuing the fight against
COVID-19 by expanding its
efforts to include the manufacture
of reusable gowns and test
collection kits while also upping
production of facemasks,
ventilators and respirators.
With more than three million
plastic face shields already
produced at its Plymouth plant in
Michigan, Ford announced last
week that it was expanding its
production of personal protective
equipment to reusable medical
gowns manufactured from material
normally used to make airbags.
Working in collaboration with
airbag supplier Joyson Safety
Systems and Beaumont Health, Ford
was expecting 75,000 units to have
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been produced by the start of this
week and that its weekly production
rate would now be at 100,000 units.
By July 4, Ford says some 1.3
million gowns will have been cut
and sewn, all self-tested to federal
standards and washable up to 50
times.
According to Beaumont Health
Dearborn and Farmington Hills
hospitals president David Claeys,
more than 5000 gowns have already
been delivered.
“The need to protect our medical
teams is heightened – Ford’s gown
production could not come at a better
time during this crisis,” he said.
“Our frontline healthcare workers
are working around the clock to
treat COVID-19 patients and we
need the necessary supplies to
support them.”
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heroes – medical personnel – and to upscale production by more than than four weeks to develop and is
our communities safe in the fight 300 per cent. being produced at Ford’s Vreeland
against COVID-19”. Other pre-existing projects like facility in Michigan by up to 90
This is why the Detroit auto the production of respirators in paid United Auto Workers (UAW)
giant has loaned some of its conjunction with 3M have been union volunteers.
manufacturing expertise to Thermo going from strength to strength,
Fisher Scientific, a Kansas-based with production of a new design FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
firm dedicated to producing of powered air-purifying respirator More reports – next page
PAGE 5
GoAutoNews
Life support
General Motors and partners begin production
of crucial ventilators after rocky start in US
By ROBBIE WALLIS
GENERAL Motors has begun
mass production of the Ventec
Life Systems V+Pro critical
care ventilator, a crucial piece of
equipment in the ongoing fight
against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developed under contract with the
US Department of Health and Human
Services, the production of ventilators
by GM was motivated by the
invocation of the Defense Production
Act by president Donald Trump,
which states that a president can force
companies to manufacture products in
the interest of national defence.
When the Defense Production Act
was invoked at the end of March,
the relationship between Mr Trump
and GM was rocky at the best, with
the president taking to Twitter to
announce: “General Motors MUST
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EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
than 600 ventilators in April, with GM TO SHARE FACEMASK PLANS WITH SUPPLIERS
nearly half the order to be completed
by the end of June and the full 30,000 By ROBBIE WALLIS
to be delivered by the end of August. GENERAL Motors has stepped
The company also has capacity to up its efforts in the fight against
build more ventilators as required. COVID-19, announcing it will
GM chairman and CEO Mary share its facemask production plans
Barra said it has taken hard work from with other suppliers while also
all parties to make the development increasing its production capacity.
of the ventilators happen. The company revealed that it purchasing and supply chain
“Thousands of men and women at will be sharing its manufacturing Shilpan Amin said the aim of
GM, Ventec, our suppliers and the plans with its suppliers as well information sharing was to make
Kokomo community have rallied as with the Original Equipment facemask manufacturing as easy as
to support their neighbours and the Suppliers Association (OESA) possible for all parties.
medical professionals on the front and the Michigan Manufacturers “Our ultimate goal is to get more
lines of this pandemic,” she said. Association (MMA), in an effort masks to the people who desperately
to help others increase their own need them,” he said.
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PAGE 6
GoAutoNews EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020

Nissan steps up

Japanese car-maker gets into gear with PPE in home

market as other measures in UK, Spain ramp up
By CALLUM HUNTER
NISSAN has announced it will step
up its efforts to stop the spread of
COVID-19 in coming months with
plans to produce plastic face shields
at its research plant in Yokohama as
well as upscaling delivery of face
shield parts in the UK and producing
respirators in Spain.
According to the Japanese car-
maker, preparations are currently
being made at its research centre
in Yokohama to begin producing
plastic face shields by the end of
April, with production expected to
peak at 2500 units per month.
Like various other car
manufacturers, Nissan will donate
the finished masks to health
workers and first responders on
the front line of the coronavirus
crisis, with these particular masks
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to distributed within Japan.
In addition to supplying face
shields, Nissan is also studying
ways in which the company can
support local ventilator and artificial
heart-lung machine manufacturers
following a request from the
Japanese government.
“Nissan plans to help these producers
by proposing improvements to
manufacturing procedures, providing
working space or manpower to help
companies step up production, and
supplying parts that are in shortage,”
the company said in a statement.
Similar initiatives are already in
place in other regions including
the US (Michigan, Mississippi and
Tennessee) and the United Kingdom.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
FCA’s wide attack – next page
PAGE 7
GoAutoNews
FCA’s wide attack
American-Italian auto giant is using industrial,
humanitarian, social media measures to fight virus
By CALLUM HUNTER
THE latest wave of medical
supplies manufactured by Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) North
America has been distributed to
emergency operation centres in
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and
Ohio – some of the worst-hit areas
by the COVID-19 virus.
The deliveries made at the end of
the second week in April comprised
550,000 disposable facemasks
which, under the social media
hashtag #InItTogether, took the
total number of donated facemasks
to more than a million units, an
impressive feat given production
only started late last month.
Initially announced on March
23, FCA said at the time it hoped
to produce more than a million
units per month and donate them to
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police officers, emergency medical
technicians, firefighters, hospital
staff and healthcare clinics across the
United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to FCA CEO Mike
Manley, protecting first responders
and healthcare workers has never
been more important which is why
FCA would be working through
national, regional and city authorities
to ensure the masks are directed to
the people and facilities most in need.
“In addition to the support we are
giving to increase the production
of ventilators, we canvased our
contacts across the healthcare
industry and it was very clear that
there is an urgent and critical need
for facemasks,” he said.
“We’ve marshalled the resources of
the FCA Group to focus immediately
on installing production capacity for
making masks and supporting those
most in need on the front line of this
pandemic.”
The project is the first multifaceted
global program being developed
by the auto giant which, like many
other car-makers, is leveraging its
manufacturing facilities, supply
chain and engineering know-how in
the fight against the coronavirus.
On the other side of the world
in Italy, recent talks between FCA
and electromedical equipment
specialist Siare Engineering
International Group have proved
fruitful, with both companies
agreeing to enter a partnership
which will see FCA help produce
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‘electrovalves’ – the figurative
heart of powered ventilators.
A team of FCA specialists analysed
the supply flow and assembly
process of the electrovalves and
how to implement them at the
group’s facility in Cento.
The team also worked on solutions
as to how best increase Siare’s own
production rate at its facilities in
Bologna.
With the additional supply of
electrovalves manufactured by FCA,
Siare estimated that it would be able
to reduce the total production time
for its ventilators by between 30 and
50 per cent.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has
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EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
brought greater urgency and need
for this equipment, particularly in
Italy which is one of the principal
epicentres of the crisis in Europe,”
an FCA spokesperson said.
Back on US soil, the North
American subsidiary has committed
to helping provide more than a
million meals to school-age children
in the communities surrounding
its principal manufacturing plants
in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and
Ohio through local charities and
non-profit organisations.
FCA says the program will
eventually be expanded nationwide
and beyond in Canada and Mexico,
with Mr Manley saying “there
has never been a more important
moment to help children and their
families with vital needs in our
communities than during this time
of great uncertainty”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
More reports – next page
PAGE 8
GoAutoNews
Back to work
Gradual resumption of production at VW Group
underway as 2020 full-year outlook withdrawn
By ROBBIE WALLIS
VOLKSWAGEN has announced
its plans to begin reopening its
production facilities this week as the
German auto giant looks to get its
manufacturing efforts back on track
in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.
It has, however, withdrawn
its 2020 full-year outlook due to
business impacts from the pandemic.
The company announced on April
16 that it plans to reopen two of
its major production facilities this
week, the first being its Zwickau
plant in the country’s east which
manufactures the Golf small car,
the ID.3 EV and the bodies for the
Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini
Urus.
In 2019, the Zwickau plant
churned out 170,324 vehicles and
10,515 car bodies, employing
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roughly 8000 people.
The other factory to be opened
this week is the Bratislava plant in
Slovakia, a crucial facility which
produces vehicles, gearboxes and
components for VW Group.
Models built at the Bratislava plant
include the Volkswagen Touareg,
Up, e-Up, Audi Q7 and Q8, Porsche
Cayenne, Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo.
Combined with the nearby Martin
plant, the Bratislava factory last
year produced 408,208 vehicles,
383,640 gearboxes and 33.6 million
components, with Bratislava
employing 14,800 people.
Starting April 27, Volkswagen
will look to reopen its remaining
plants in Germany, as well as its
production facilities in Portugal,
Spain, Russia and the US.
Through next month, production
will continue to ramp up with more
international plants opening in
South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and
Mexico.
Volkswagen Group COO Ralf
Brandstaetter said the company
had carefully planned its path to
reopening its facilities.
“With the decisions by the federal
and state governments in Germany
and the loosening of restrictions in
other European states, conditions
have been established for the gradual
resumption of production,” he said.
“Volkswagen has prepared
KIA CONSIDERS CLOSING PLANTS IN SOUTH KOREA AMID WEAK GLOBAL DEMAND
By CALLUM HUNTER
KIA Motors could be about to
suspend production at three of
its South Korean manufacturing
plants as the effects of the ongoing
COVID-19 crisis on the global
new-vehicle market continue to
intensify.
In a statement issued last week,
the company said it was “currently
reviewing the suspension of some
of its plants in Korea” in response
to declining global demand due to
COVID-19, but a decision had not
yet been made.
intensively for these steps over
the past three weeks. In addition
to developing a comprehensive
catalogue of measures for the
protection of our employees’ health,
we have also forged ahead with
the re-establishment of our supply
chains.”
The company also stressed the
importance of complying with
stringent health measures for
employees to prevent workers
from contracting COVID-19, and
has developed a 100-point plan for
working under such conditions.
Seltos
The company had not provided
further information before GoAuto
closed for publication this week.
According to a report by global
news agency Reuters, the outcome
of the decision will come down
to whether or not the plan is
accepted by Kia’s labour union
as negotiations revolving around
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
According to Bloomberg, Audi
is looking at reopening its plants as
well, with around 100 employees
back to work at its engine plant in
Gyor, Hungary, on a single shift. A
second line was also due open late
last week.
Bentley has declared it is
extending its shutdown until May 11,
lengthening the closure for an extra
three weeks over the April 20 date it
had originally set.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
More reports – next page
shutdown pay continue.
If the shutdown was to go ahead,
production of all models currently
offered in Australia – Picanto, Rio,
Cerato, Optima, Stinger, Seltos,
Sportage, Sorento and Carnival –
would cease temporarily between
April 23 and April 29, something Kia
Motors Australia (KMAu) media
and corporate communications
general manager Kevin Hepworth
said would have little to no impact
on local availability.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 9
GoAutoNews
Porsche auction
US arm of German sportscar marque is auctioning
last 991-series 911 for coronavirus fundraiser
By ROBBIE WALLIS
PORSCHE Cars North America has
partnered with renowned auction
house RM Sotheby’s to raise funds
to fight the COVID-19 epidemic,
putting the final 991-generation 911
supercar up for auction.
If sporting the final 991-generation
serial number was not enough, the
911 in question is also the highly
desirable and limited-run 911
Speedster, which was strictly limited
to 1948 units after being revealed at
last year’s New York motor show.
The one-week auction is being
held via RM Sotheby’s Online
Only auction platform, with the
winning bid set to be well north of
the $604,888 asked by Porsche Cars
Australia for the Speedster.
Bids close at 7pm Central
European time on April 22.
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Along with the vehicle, the
winning bidder will be also invited
to take a behind-the-scenes tour
of the Porsche AG Weissach
headquarters including experiencing
the test track, while a unique book
illustrating the assembly and
completion of the final vehicle will
also be included.
The winning bidder of the
Speedster will also score a letter
of authenticity from Porsche that
confirms the chassis number being
the final one to pass down the
production line.
The final 911 Speedster example
is finished in GT Silver metallic
paint, and is replete with the racing-
influenced ‘88’ decals on the bonnet
and doors.
Porsche has also created a
bespoke Swiss-made Heritage
Design Chronograph for the 911
Speedster, a watch that incorporates
the model’s design features such
as a strap made from the same
cognac-coloured leather as the
car’s interior and a silver winding
rotor that matches the car’s alloy
wheels.
Created on the Stuttgart-
Zuffenhausen production line in
December, the final Speedster has
not been previously owned, remains
unregistered and features just 20
miles (32km) on the odometer.
The Speedster is underpinned by
the same 4.0-litre aspirated flat-six
engine from the GT3 and GT3 RS,
LAMBORGHINI’S COVID-FIGHTING EFFORTS EXTEND TO BREATHING SIMULATORS
By CALLUM HUNTER
ITALIAN supercar specialist
Lamborghini has announced a new
venture with Siare Engineering
International Group to help
engineer and produce breathing
simulators in a bid to accelerate
the evaluation process of critically
needed ventilators.
Using resources and equipment
from its research and development
department, the House of the
Raging Bull has taken less than
tuned to produce 375kW/470Nm
and driving the rear wheels via a
six-speed manual transmission.
Sitting 25mm lower to the ground
than the regular 911, the Speedster
also comes equipped with rear-axle
steering, adaptive damping, Porsche
torque vectoring and a stainless-
steel sports exhaust.
The most distinctive aspect
of the Speedster is its unique
styling, notably its convertible
top compartment lid that features
a single piece of carbon-fibre
reinforced plastic that the car-
maker claims is the largest and most
complex component used on any
two weeks to design, produce
and validate the simulator in its
3D print laboratory, which as
previously reported is also being
used to make medical visors.
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
road car to date.
Porsche 911 and 718 product
line vice-president Frank-Steffen
Walliser said the Speedster was
the culmination of 991-series
production (2011-2019).
“Not only does this mark the end
of what, for me, was a special era
but it’s especially rewarding that
the last car to reach the end of the
line should be the ultimate – the
Speedster combined everything we
learned and is the 991 in its purest
form,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Positive note – page 13
With production now in full swing,
the company expects to produce 18
units per week.
“The breathing simulator
enables the tester to carry out
an initial evaluation of the
ventilator’s performance before
reaching the final checking stage,
when the ventilator undergoes a
comprehensive test using certified
equipment,” a spokesperson said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 10
GoAutoNews
Silverado 1500 set
HSV takes relatively high road for more affordable
1500 version of Chevy pick-up, from $113,990
By CALLUM HUNTER the Silverado 1500 in just a single
HOLDEN Special Vehicles (HSV) specification for now: the feature-
has priced its highly anticipated, laden LTZ Premium Edition.
locally converted Chevrolet The $113,990 price point places
Silverado 1500 at $113,990 plus the Chevy $4040 above the top-
on-road costs, pitching it against spec Ram 1500 Laramie EcoDiesel
the flagship version of the popular Crew Cab (from $109,950), but the
Ram 1500. difference is offset by more standard
Leaving well alone the lower- equipment and slightly more cargo
tiered variants of the Ram priced space.
from around $80,000 to $100,000 Weighing in at 2588kg and
– which the Melbourne-based measuring 5885mm long and
manufacturer also converts to 2063mm wide, the Silverado 1500
right-hand drive on behalf of the is certainly a big beast, boasting
Ateco Group – HSV is offering 69mm in extra length and 95mm
more width compared to the Ram
1500 although the latter does better
the Chevy on payload capacity
(845kg vs 712kg).
Under the bonnet there is a
naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8
petrol engine producing 313kW of
power and 624Nm of torque, driving
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all four wheels via a 10-speed
automatic transmission.
Maximum braked towing capacity
is rated at 4500kg.
Drivers have four different driving
modes at their disposal depending
on the journey at hand, those being
Touring for everyday driving, Sport
for increased throttle response, Off-
road for slippery conditions and
Tow/Haul for towing duties.
On the subject of towing, the
Silverado 1500 also comes with a
collection of other electronic aids
including trailer sway control, hill-
start assist and auto grade braking,
while an optional package adds
hitch guidance with hitch view,
integrated trailer brake control,
trailer theft alert and an in-vehicle
advanced trailering system, among
others.
To help make the 1500 as adept
off-road as it is at towing, standard
specification includes high- and
low-range gearing, hill-descent
control, heavy-duty locking rear
differential, all-terrain tyres,
skid plates and Z71 Off-Road
suspension with Rancho twin-tube
shock absorbers.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PEUGEOT UPDATES 308 AS GTI AND DIESEL BOW OUT
By CALLUM HUNTER
PEUGEOT Australia has given
its 308 small car an extensive
refresh for 2020 which streamlines
the range to just three variants
– dropping the GTi flagship and
diesel versions – and ushers in a
new pricing structure that kicks off
from $31,490 driveaway.
At the entry level, the Allure
hatch opens things up virtually
unchanged for 2020 apart from its
revised driveaway price, marking
a saving of $4422 compared to its
2019 predecessor.
Standard equipment and safety
technology includes autonomous
emergency braking, lane-departure
warning, lane-keep assist, a
reversing camera, parking sensors,
touchscreen infotainment system
with Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto, satellite navigation, electronic
park brake, keyless entry/start,
chrome accents and 16-inch two-
tone alloy wheels.
A 1.2-litre turbocharged four-
cylinder engine carries over,
producing 96kW of power, 230Nm
of torque and driving the front
wheels via a six-speed Aisin
automatic transmission.
This powertrain is now used
across the range with the removal
of the GTi and its fire-breathing
200kW/330Nm 1.6-litre turbo-
petrol engine, as well as with
the deletion of the torquey
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
GT-Line
PRICING:
Allure (a) $31,490 d/a
Allure Touring SW (a) $33,490 d/a
GT-Line (a) $36,490 d/a
110kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo-
diesel unit previously found in both
hatchback and (Allure Touring)
Sportswagon guise.
As such, the 2020 Allure Touring
Sportswagon now perfectly mirrors
its hatchback brethren – save for the
wagon body style – but commands a
$2000 premium ($33,490 driveaway)
in exchange for the extra space.
Following the GTi’s departure as
the 308 flagship, the newly added
2020 GT-Line steps in at $36,490
driveaway. It is only available in
hatchback form.
While powered by the same
1.2-litre turbo-petrol unit as the
Allure duo, the GT-Line borrows
styling cues from the more
potent GTi (and previous GT) to
distinguish itself from its lesser
stablemates and also scores an array
of extra goodies as standard.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 12
GoAutoNews Market Insight
GoAuto Market Insight
brought to you by Op2ma
Positive note
SEMA survey shows aftermarket sector in US
is staying relatively strong amid COVID-19 crisis
By TERRY MARTIN
A SURVEY conducted by the
Specialty Equipment Market
Association (SEMA) in the United
States this month shows that the
aftermarket sector in the huge
American automotive industry
is maintaining a positive outlook
during the coronavirus pandemic.
Just as it has in Australia, the
COVID-19 virus has impacted US
specialty automotive equipment
manufacturers and suppliers,
throwing many businesses into
turmoil as they navigate their
way through a period of reduced
demand, executive orders closing
non-essential businesses, social
distancing measures, potential
diversification into personal
protective equipment, and so on.
But the results of the SEMA
survey of more than 2000
people employed in the specialty
equipment industry, conducted
from April 1-7, shows that “even in
these difficult times, our industry is
resilient and working diligently to
move past this disruption”.
SEMA Market Research
director Gavin Knapp said most
SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
SEMA survey on impact of COVID-19 crisis in US
80
Source: SEMA
70
60
50
% 40
businesses in the industry are 30
maintaining a positive outlook
20
amid the coronavirus crisis,
with 87 per cent of respondents 10
reporting that they are “impacted
0
short-term, but will get through We are mostly We are Our business We are likely No, and we No, but are Yes, we’ve Yes, we’ve Still working at Working from On furlough Higher to Down 30% Down 40% or
business as impacted is severely to shut down do not intend considering closed some closed ALL our your offices or home or have been down 20% to 40% more
it” or are “business as usual”. usual short term,
but we will get
impacted long permanently
term
to close any
facilities
shutting
locations
sites offices, stores,
plants or
facilities laid off
He said that even with ‘shelter through it down factories
Current Business Outlook Has your company closed any facilities as a This week, what percentage of Compared to this month last year,
in place’ orders underway in many result of the coronavirus outbreak? your employees are… how much have your sales been
impacted by the virus?
states – a directive for Americans to
stay at home for anything other than however, that while most businesses said sales volume had fallen between that consists of a diverse group of
those activities deemed essential remain open, overall sales have 30 and 40 per cent. manufacturers, distributors, retailers,
– most industry facilities remain been affected by the crisis. Another 34 per cent of publishing companies, auto restorers,
open under the essential business A third of respondents (33 per cent) respondents said their current sales street rod builders, restylers, car
designations. reported that current sales were down ranged from somewhat higher to clubs, race teams and more.
Indeed, two thirds of industry more than 40 per cent compared to down 20 per cent.
businesses reported in the survey as this month last year, while 21 per cent SEMA is a trade association FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
not having closed any of their sites as
a result of the pandemic across the US.
“More than half of the industry’s
employees continue to work from
the company site, as the large
number of production, technical,
logistical and retail positions can
only be done at the jobsite,” Mr
Knapp said.
“The strength of the industry is
shown in the finding that 82 per cent
of employees are still on the job at
their worksite or from home.”
Mr Knapp was quick to add,
PAGE 13
GoAutoNews Green
GoAuto Green
brought to you by Titan DMS
Polestar pointer
Premium EV brand details Precept concept, which
points to design direction, tech, eco intentions
By CALLUM HUNTER
POLESTAR has revealed more
details about its Precept electric
concept car, which the company
says “envisions its future” and
showcases the key areas of
sustainability, digital technology
and design.
First revealed in February,
Polestar says the Precept is “a
manifesto of things to come; a
declaration” of where the brand will
be headed in coming years.
According to Polestar CEO
Thomas Ingenlath, the Precept is
not some far-off concept based on
a science-fiction movie, but rather
a very real indication of what is to
come.
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“People ask me all the time,
‘What is the future of Polestar?’,
and of course we are not showing
our future models just yet,” he said.
“But Precept shows you where
we will be heading – our design
direction, our ambitions about
sustainability and the great digital
user experience we will bring with
those future cars.”
To look at, there is no denying the
Precept means business, combining
aerodynamic sleekness with a
purposeful stance thanks to its flared
wheelarches and haunches.
At the front end, a striking wing
has been integrated into the bonnet
to reduce turbulence, and the
grille has been replaced by what
Polestar has dubbed SmartZone
– a collection of radars, ultrasonic
sensors and a wide-angle camera.
The splitter itself along with the
side sills and rear valance are made
from natural composites courtesy of
natural fibre specialist Bcomp.
Occupying the outer edges of the
front fascia are narrow, all-LED
headlamps and daytime running
lights than run parallel to the would-
be bonnet line before flicking off
in opposite directions along the
pronounced parabolic line, helping
to add a frown to the already
aggressively shaped nose.
What may not be apparent looking
from the front or from a front three-
quarter view is that the Precept is a
four-door sedan with suicide rear
doors, thanks to flush doorhandles
and careful body sculpting
designed first and foremost to be as
aerodynamic as possible.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
US CITY LAUNCHES BID TO BUILD TESLA CYBERTRUCK
By ROBBIE WALLIS
A CITY in America’s midwest,
Joplin, has launched a bid to become
the home of manufacturing for
Tesla Motors’ upcoming all-electric
Cybertruck pick-up, offering $US1
billion ($A1.55b) in incentives and
savings for the US car-maker. Gigafactory site, which will also
Located in Missouri near the build the batteries for the vehicle.
tri-state border with Kansas and Reports suggest a number of
Oklahoma, Joplin has put together other cities have also been in
a website outlining the benefits of discussion with Tesla about hosting
the EV manufacturer bringing its the Gigafactory, such as Nashville,
operations away from California. Tennessee, along with cities in
Shared by Joplin chamber of Colorado, Texas and Arkansas.
commerce president Tony Teeber Joplin’s dedicated Gigafactory
on Twitter, the Joplin bid was website outlines its plans for the site
targeted towards Elon Musk, who – a 1042-acre site with rail access and
last month stated on Twitter that close proximity to major arterial roads.
Tesla was scouting locations in the The site would have a 70MW
midwest for the new site. capacity, and sits next to a 600MW
Along with the website, Joplin generation facility.
has also been in contact with Tesla
to submit a formal bid for the FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
We innovate ...
and we take you with us
Is your current DMS built on aging technologies that
can’t evolve with industry requirements?
Titan’s core is built on a foundation
of modern web-based technologies.
PAGE 14
GoAutoNews Personnel EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020

GoAuto Personnel GUTIERREZ JOINS CARLY AS HEAD OF MARKETING AS COMPANY EXPANDS

brought to you by Motor Staff
By TERRY MARTIN services provider CoAct (formerly to the next level as it continues to
CORNISH REPLACES MACHIN AS ANCAP CHAIR AUSTRALIAN car subscription Job Futures) and earlier worked for offer consumers, car dealers and
service Carly has appointed Jessica CareerOne for about 18 months as manufacturers a unique vehicle
By TERRY MARTIN insurance) at IAG. Gutierrez as head of marketing. marketing manager. access and revenue solution”.
THE Australasian New Car Earlier in his career, Mr Cornish’s Ms Gutierrez brings to the position Launched in Sydney in March last “Jessica brings an armoury of
Assessment Program (ANCAP) senior postings included managing more than 10 years’ experience in year, Carly is a subsidiary of publicly skills across brand, e-commerce
has appointed Andy Cornish as its director of the Royal Bank of digital and more traditional forms listed Australian company Collaborate and digital marketing that will be
new chair, replacing Wendy Scotland (RBS) Group and of marketing, with the company Corporation and a sibling to car vital in accelerating the
Machin who has retired NIG Insurance (UK), and pointing to previous positions with rental business DriveMyCar. uptake of car subscription
after six years on the board. chief executive of Direct both media and creative agencies It quickly expanded into and growing the awareness
Mr Cornish has been an Line Insurance International, before switching to the client Melbourne, and in February of Carly as a household
independent director of and with Zurich Insurance. side in digital and e-commerce this year launched in Brisbane brand,” Mr Noone said.
the leading independent Among the many marketplace roles. and the Gold Coast. “Her focus will be on
vehicle crash safety companies for which he Most recently, Ms Gutierrez spent The company plans to cementing Carly’s position
authority since 2017. Andy Cornish has served as a director more than two-and-a-half years as launch in New Zealand once Jessica Gutierrez as the new way for the
He is one of the top insurance are Green Flag Group Ltd, marketing manager (Australia and lockdown restrictions are lifted. Australian automotive industry to
industry experts in Australia, with National Westminster Insurance New Zealand) for the StubHub Among its growing client list are engage with the changing needs of
more than four decades’ experience Services Ltd, Royal Bank ticketing marketplace, which was OEMs including Hyundai Motor Australian drivers.
both here and abroad and service Insurance Service Ltd, Direct owned by eBay but sold for $US4.05 Company Australia. “Carly quickly established itself
as chairman and president of the Line Insurance, and the ICA. billion ($A6.3b) in February this In the new role, Ms Gutierrez as the most flexible car subscription
Insurance Council of Australia He continues to sit on a number year to European rival Viagogo. will report directly to Carly chief service in less than a year in the
(ICA). of boards across a diverse She previously spent about a year executive Chris Noone and, emerging car subscription sector.”
This latter role came range of industries, from as marketing and communications according to the company, will
in conjunction with his insurance to property manager for non-profit employment be tasked with “taking the brand FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
appointment in 2014 as development and tourism,
chief executive (personal
insurance) of the Insurance
as well as ANCAP.
In taking over as chair
You run
Australia Group (IAG) of the safety watchdog, Mr the business
– the largest general Wendy Machin Cornish said he looked
insurance company in Australia forward to “guiding the delivery
we find
and New Zealand with brands of existing objectives, initiatives the staff!
including NRMA, CGU, SGIO, and projects, and incorporating
SGIC and WFI. some new aspects to reinforce
He also served as chief operations the importance of ANCAP’s You’ll earn more money
officer at IAG before retiring from independent consumer testing and by concentrating on 1300 666 562
full-time executive roles in June advocacy voice”. your core business careers@motorstaff.com.au
2016, while from 2009 to 2014 he Leave it to the professionals... www.motorstaff.com.au
held the position of CEO (direct FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE PAGE 15
GoAutoNews Diary
GoAuto New Car Diary
brought to you by Autotrader
D90 muscles up
LDV offers diesel variant for first time on D90
large SUV, sitting at top of range from $48K d/a
By ROBBIE WALLIS
CHINESE brand LDV has
introduced a new range-topping grade
for its D90 seven-seat large SUV,
powered by an in-house-developed
twin-turbocharged diesel engine.
Priced from $47,990 driveaway,
the D90 Executive 4WD diesel
is priced $4000 upstream of
the equivalent petrol grade, and
expands the variant choice to four.
The 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-
cylinder diesel comes courtesy of
PRICING:
2WD petrol (a) $35,990 d/a
Exec 2WD petrol (a) $39,990 d/a
Exec 4WD petrol (a) $43,990 d/a
Exec 4WD diesel (a) $47,990 d/a
SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
parent company SAIC, and is tuned
to produce 160kW of power and
480Nm of torque.
This places the new engine only
5kW shy of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol
mill powering the rest of the range,
while boasting an additional 130Nm
of grunt.
Sipping 9.1 litres of fuel per
100km on the official combined-
cycle test, the diesel is 1.8L/100km
more frugal than the 4WD petrol
and emits fewer CO2 emissions at
238 grams per kilometre compared
to the petrol’s 255g/km.
The extra grunt also greatly
boosts the ladder-frame D90’s
towing capacity, increasing from
2000kg to 3100kg.
LAUNCH
Audi SQ8
APR Ford Fiesta ST
Jaguar F-Type MY21
Mazda CX-5
Mitsubishi Mirage
Renault Kangoo
Power is delivered to all four
wheels via an eight-speed ZF
automatic transmission, with a low-
range transfer case and off-road
driving modes including rock, mud,
sand and snow.
Adding the diesel engine to the
D90 range helps it better compete
with its main competitors including
the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest,
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu
MU-X, all of which are powered by
diesel engines.
The specification of the D90
Executive diesel mostly mirrors
that of its petrol counterpart, which
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020
FULL NEW CAR DIARY: CLICK HERE
Renault has overhauled its compact
van for the 2020 model year, trimming
the line-up and bolstering value
among the remaining variants.
from the outside includes 19-inch mirror, electric-opening tailgate
alloy wheels, LED headlights, and multi-zone climate-control air-
electronically folding door mirrors, conditioning.
luggage rails, rain-sensing windscreen The D90 comes with a five-
wipers, side steps and a sunroof. star ANCAP safety rating helped
Inside, the D90 gains a 12.0- by features such as autonomous
inch infotainment system with emergency braking, front collision
Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument warning, adaptive cruise control,
cluster (an exclusive feature), eight- hill-descent control, blind-
speaker audio system, three USB spot monitoring, lane-departure
and 12V sockets, heated leather- warning, traffic-sign recognition,
clad steering wheel, eight-way tyre pressure monitoring, front and
electrically adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, a reversing
leather upholstery for the first two camera and six airbags.
rows (third-row seats get artificial
leather), auto-dimming rearview FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 16
 THE BUSINESS PAGES OF GOAUTONEWS
ACCC makes
Holden a priority
Rod Sims pulls all stops out as GM execs seek Section 155
protection for candid revelations
SsangYong
in finance falter
Virus halts SsangYong’s bid for financial aid as
parent Mahindra cools its investment
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
By JOHN MELLOR
A NUMBER of GM Holden
executives have flagged that
they are “so appalled” at the way
Holden dealers have been treated
in compensation negotiations that
they are prepared to be candid with
an Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission (ACCC)
inquiry into the matter providing
they receive Section 155 protection
from prosecution, GoAutoNews
Premium has been told by sources
close to the dispute.
The move by these executives
follows increasing pressure
on present and past Holden
management who are facing public
scrutiny in the Senate.
They are also likely to be
interviewed by officers of the
ACCC which itself has come under
growing pressure from federal MPs
and dealers to investigate Holden’s
exit strategies and the way they
impact on dealers and on car buyers
and owners.
GoAutoNews Premium has been
NAPA auto
Not just a view from the top.
parts expands
mis@kpmg.com.au
New name for 140 GPC APAC shops
to operate in parallel with Repco
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told that some executives have said
they are prepared to be candid with
the ACCC under Section 155 of the
Competition and Consumer Act
relating to information gathering
where individuals can be rendered
immune from prosecution if they
volunteer information to an ACCC
investigation.
GoAutoNews Premium has been
told the executives are “appalled” at
the way the exit has been handled and
that publicity on the way the dealers
have been treated was trashing
the good reputation and legacy of
Holden that has been built up on the
backs of tens of thousands of current
and former employees who have
every right to be proud of what they
had achieved for the brand.
But also preying on the minds of
Holden managers (and potentially
their legal advisers) is certain to
be the increase in penalties by the
ACCC in 2018 for individuals
breaching the Act from $220,000 to
$500,000 per breach.
Continued next page
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews FOR BUSINESS ONLINE
“This could spark a rush to be first in,
best dressed in terms of Section 155
deals for Holden managers and follows
the forwarding to the ACCC the names,
positions and contact numbers of 40
former and current Holden senior
managers who are thought to be able
to help the ACCC with its enquiries.”

Continued from previous page
This could spark a rush to be first
in, best dressed in terms of Section
155 deals for Holden managers and
stonewalling the negotiations and WE’RE STILL
OPEN FOR
public allegations by dealers of
breaches of the Act.
GoAutoNews Premium understands

follows the forwarding to the ACCC
the names, positions and contact
numbers of 40 former and current
Holden senior managers who are
thought to be able to help the ACCC
with its enquiries.
The 40 names were sought by
the ACCC as potential GM Holden
managers who may be able to assist
the ACCC get a handle on how the
exit process and compensation was
being handled by the company and
to build a picture on how Holden
dealer agreements allegedly put
dealers at a disadvantage in the
lead-up to the exit announcement.
The ACCC has recently been
gathering documentation regarding
dealer allegations about Holden
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
BUSINESS ONLINE
that ACCC chairman Rod Sims had
been inundated by approaches from
federal MPs worried about the way
Holden dealers are being treated.
Mr Sims is now personally involved
and has let it be known publicly that the
regulator is far from impressed with Due to recent advice from the Australian Government, all Manheim
the reported strategies adopted by GM auctions are online only until further notice.
in negotiating with the compensation
packages for the dealers. This is an ideal way to dispose of vehicles digitally and find the right stock.
Meanwhile, on the heels of these Our online BidNow auctions run 24/7 so buyers can bid online from
developments, GM Holden has
anywhere, any time.
softened its hard line against dealers
and has now held a national hook- Visit manheim.com.au to view the catalogues or contact your account
up with the dealer subcommittee manager for more details.
appointed to negotiate on behalf of
185 dealers.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE PAGE 18
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews

SsangYong in ABSOLUTE
RESULTS

finance falter TODAY & TOMORROW

Virus halts SsangYong’s bid for financial aid as
parent Mahindra cools its investment
By NEIL DOWLING
SSANGYONG Motor Company’s
75 per cent owner, India’s Mahindra
and Mahindra, has backed away
from a decision to inject up to
$A630 million into the Korean-
based car-maker as the coronavirus
crisis bites into the global economy.
Mahindra had agreed to the
plan but the sudden pandemic has
squeezed the company’s finances.
SsangYong said in a report that
it needed the funds to continue
with its next three-year plan which
was expected to make SsangYong
profitable by 2022.
But a series of articles published
by The Economic Times of India (ET)
said Mahindra shelved the funds
citing the effects of the pandemic
and SsangYong’s continued losses.
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
XUV500
In 2019, SsangYong posted a record
loss of $A437 million and needed
a one-off impairment amounting to
$A113 million.
Mahindra reported at its board
meeting earlier this month that it can
provide one-off financial assistance
of $A80 million over the next three
months to help SsangYong continue.
But ET said: “The current decision
of non-availability of funds may
force Mahindra to exit the business,
say analysts.
“There are currently three options
on the table for the Indian auto-maker
– bring in a minority shareholder,
look at a strategic partner or spin-off
and sell off the entire business.”
SsangYong is negotiating with
its primary financier, the Korean
Development Bank, and other
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investors including Mahindra.
A report from India suggested
SsangYong may be talking to
Kia Motor and Hyundai Motor
Company with the aim of selling a
small stake in its business.
It said Mahindra started looking for
an investor at the beginning of this year
and one company suggested as being
a frontrunner was Ford, which has a
large operation in India and a global
market network. Ford did not respond
to questions about this investment.
STEP 2
OFFER
TO HELP
AVAILABLE
In Australia, SsangYong said in a
statement to GoAutoNews Premium:
“Mahindra has confirmed its intention
to continue supporting SsangYong
Motor and to maintain its relationship
with the SsangYong business.
“SsangYong has a three-year
business plan and structures to support
its operations both here and abroad.”
It added: “In anticipation of the
possibility of a prolonged low-
growth phase internationally caused
by the spread of COVID-19, the
STEP 3
BE
company has already embarked
on strengthening the business with
a range of innovations across a
number of areas.
“As Mahindra’s new funds to
support the brand will be less than
originally planned, SsangYong
Motor is looking to attract new
investment from other sources as
well as improvements to financial
structures, etc.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 19
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews

Autotrader, CarsGuide
fee-free for May
Listing costs deleted as Autotrader and CarsGuide
provide support for Aussie dealers
By NEIL DOWLING
AUTOTRADER and CarsGuide
listings will be free for May as
a service to dealers during an
unprecedented economic and social
environment.
Autotrader said last week that
all dealer fees have been removed
to show support for Australian
dealerships. It applies for the month
of May and follows on from the
50 per cent discount applied to all
dealer fees in April.
It said the offer of support will
be automatically applied to all
existing customers and will also be
available to any Australian dealers
who do not currently list their
vehicles with Autotrader.
Autotrader and CarsGuide CEO
Shaun Cornelius said the offer
includes the full suite of Autotrader
benefits: listings also being posted
to CarsGuide and Facebook
Marketplace, Autotrader Dealer Hub,
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
Putting you
in the driver’s
seat of your
dealership
Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor
valuations plus multiple opportunities
to promote the dealership.
“This initiative will help alleviate
some pressure that Australian This is a time of huge unprecedented
dealers are feeling at the moment,” change for the automotive industry.
So how can you stay ahead of the game?
he said.
“And for those dealers who aren’t At KPMG Motor Industry Services,
we understand the opportunities and
currently using Autotrader, it may
challenges you face every day and
help get them more exposure and your success really matters to us.
ultimately some more enquiry.”
We have the experience to help
Autotrader said it has also you enhance your operations and
launched contactless sales process financial returns.
tagging that allows dealers “to To find out more, contact the Steven Bragg
clearly communicate to car buyers KPMG Motor Industry Services Team: National Lead
on their listings what initiatives Motor Industry Services
they’re doing to provide a mis@kpmg.com.au KPMG
contactless sales process”.
Consumers will also be able to
filter search results by those dealers
offering these initiatives.
“This is a really important
initiative,” Mr Cornelius said.
© 2020 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. 378288416ENT
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
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GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews

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NAPA auto parts expands

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New name for 140 GPC APAC shops to operate
in parallel with Repco
By NEIL DOWLING
US-BASED automotive, mining
and industrial parts and accessories
giant Genuine Parts Company
(GPC) is combining its trade and
specialist business divisions in
Australia and New Zealand under
the NAPA brand.
It follows NAPA being unveiled
in Australia in April last year and
the name’s use in other markets
as the primary name for Genuine
Parts’ trade and retail businesses.
GPC Asia Pacific has started
to roll out NAPA outlets across
Australia. These will operate
parallel to GPC’s existing Repco
network.
In Australia and New Zealand,
GPC Asia Pacific’s trade and
specialist businesses have been in
operation for almost 90 years.
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
GPC Asia Pacific is best known
for brands like Ashdown-Ingram
and Repco. Ashdown-Ingram
and other trade and specialist
businesses will transition to NAPA
Auto Parts that will stand alongside
Repco stores.
NAPA will include the businesses
of Ashdown-Ingram, Appco,
Autostop, Covs, Global Auto
Spares, R&E Auto Parts and Sulco.
There are currently 12 NAPA
Auto Parts locations in Australia
– eight in Western Australia, three
in Queensland and one in New
South Wales.
The first New Zealand NAPA
Auto Parts location is expected
to open later this year and the
company said there is expected to
be a further 120 NAPA Auto Parts
locations over the coming years.
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than ever, with Carly.
Find out more
GPC Asia Pacific CEO and
managing director Rob Cameron
said Repco will continue to service
trade and retail customers while
NAPA would be the trade-focused
automotive parts supplier.
“By simplifying our structure, we
will be faster to market and be more
responsive to the changing needs of
all of our customers,” he said.
“Being part of Genuine Parts
Company delivers the scale of a
global organisation, with access
to the latest products, solutions,
technology and training that brings,
whilst our innovative culture,
national presence and seamless
logistics enable the pace and agility
of a local business.”
He said NAPA will combine GPC
Asia Pacific’s existing trade and
specialist businesses to become
Australasia’s largest trade-focused
automotive parts business.
It will operate across a network
of 125-140 branches. It will be
supported by access to global
leading-edge initiatives across
telematics, electric vehicles,
workshop technology and
connectivity, data analytics, training
programs, and inventory solutions.
Repco will be complementary to
NAPA, continuing to operate its
dual trade and retail store format,
located on more sites in Australasia
than any other parts reseller.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 21
 ABSOLUTE
RESULTS
TODAY & TOMORROW

STEP 2
OFFER
STEP 1 TO HELP
BE STEP 3
AUTHENTIC BE
AVAILABLE

We can help you keep in touch with your customers during this difficult time
www.AbsoluteResults.com • (1800) 934240 • ausales@absoluteresults.com
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews
PREPARING FOR THE BOUNCEBACK

Online sales course

hits mark in NZ
New Zealand’s MTA backs online sales training from
Australia during COVID shutdown
By NEIL DOWLING hand at the game and have forgotten
NEW Zealand’s Motor Trade some of the tools, or you’re a newbie
Association has switched on to a – there’s something for everyone to
free online training program for take home. LEARN MORE
sales staff supplied by Australian “It is also the perfect time to
management consultant Ian Parker. launch this. The salespeople are
Through Ian Parker having to sit at home as in
Management Group, the MTA New Zealand, everything is
has promoted the ‘Power closed. it perfect for people who can’t work videos are sent each day. have just under 100 salespeople doing
Course’ video program “Only essential vehicle to get some training,” he said. Content covers the essentials of this now and there are more interested
throughout New Zealand’s servicing or maybe sales – “The MTA rang a few weeks the sales process including building so I expect a growing take-up.
automotive retailers during for example, if an essential ago and asked about the videos. I relationships, prospecting, follow “Even if you get one idea from
the current full lockdown of service vehicle needed to be supply them free because it gets up, objections, negotiating, and the videos, that can be a massive
the country in response to the Ian Parker replaced – are allowed.” the message out there and also may closing the business. change.
coronavirus epidemic. Ian Parker said that despite only lead me to run more face-to-face Mr Everett said: “Look at one “Importantly, this is a course
MTA sector manager (dealers) a couple of weeks of the program workshops in the future.” video, take notes, and perhaps go that prepares the salesperson to go
Tony Everett told GoAutoNews being distributed in New Zealand, The Power Course comprises five back and watch it again in case you back to work so they can hit the
Premium that the feedback from the he is happily surprised that the sales module videos of eight minutes missed anything and really lock ground running with enthusiasm
past fortnight had been “fantastic”. videos have taken off so well. each that cover the basics of selling. in what Ian’s saying – that’s a real and some new ideas.”
“It is good, salient stuff,” he said. “The timing wasn’t any of my Participants register online at Ian luxury in sales training.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an old doing, but the current position makes Parker Management Group and the “It has been a fantastic exercise. We FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE PAGE 23
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews

Dealers join in call GIVE YOURSELF

for rent code THE GUMTREE CARS
ADVANTAGE

AADA and retail groups aim for a code of conduct to
protect retail leases during COVID crisis
By NEIL DOWLING
AUSTRALIA’S automotive
dealers have joined with the nation’s
retail groups and shopping centre
landlords to propose a code of
conduct for retail leasing principles.
Created by the National Retail
Association (NRA), Australian
Retailers Association (ARA), the
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)
and the Shopping Centre Council of
Australia (SCCA), the code aims to
assist retailers and landlords during
the current economic upheaval.
The Australian Automotive
Dealer Association (AADA) last
week circulated a code of conduct
to its members, and AADA CEO
James Voortman said “most were
relatively happy with it”.
He said the AADA supports the
concept of the national code of
conduct for retail leasing, however
he noted that the current proposal
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
only applies to businesses with
turnover of less than $50 million.
“Dealers will always be
disadvantaged by any measures
which use turnover as a threshold,
due to the high value of the goods
which they sell,” he said.
“One need only look at the
exceptionally thin profit margins
being made to realise that turnover
is not an adequate descriptor of
the health of companies in the
automotive industry.
“The automotive retail industry
is facing significant headwinds and
to navigate through these difficult
times many dealers will need to
work closely with their landlords on
some form of relief.
“Only allowing retailers with a
turnover of less than $50 million to
be covered by this code essentially
means that most dealers will be
outside of this system.”
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To support our Australian dealerships in times
of uncertainty, we are waiving all subscription
fees for the month of April and inviting all
dealerships to list their entire vehicle inventory
on Gumtree Cars for FREE.*
Find out more at Gumtreeforbusiness.com.au
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* Your invoice for subscription fees and additional listing fees (overage) will be zero for April 2020.
Additional feature fees that you apply to any listings in April will continue to be chargeable. New dealers will
be able to subscribe to a BASIC package for April free of charge.
The Australian Competition and The SCCA represents Australia’s of up to $50 million a year,” the
Consumer Commission (ACCC) major shopping centre owners, commission said.
has weighed into the matter, managers and developers, while the It said the plan could include an
saying shopping centre owners Scentre Group owns and operates offer to defer or reduce rents and
and managers had been granted retail real estate under management other payments, waive interest
interim authorisation to discuss and including 42 Westfield shopping payments and extend leases.
implement rent relief measures for centres. “Support for small and medium
tenants facing hardship because of “The ACCC has allowed businesses in this difficult time will
the COVID-19 pandemic. shopping centre owners and help the economy start up again
“This follows an application by managers to jointly develop a when the pandemic has subsided,”
Shopping Centre Council of Australia plan to help their small business ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
Limited (SCCA) and Scentre Group,” tenants, including franchisees and
the ACCC said in a statement. licensees, which have a turnover FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 24
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews

New online POPULAR STORIES

F&I from Eric Open for business

VACC reminds customers that
most car dealerships and service
centres are open

CLICK HERE

Eric Insurance and Nodifi partner to offer multiple 100 good reasons to join VACC
F&I choices for dealership customers
By NEIL DOWLING (customer) Jonathan Brookes

Reason #06
AUSTRALIAN finance platform said: “The partnership provides an
Nodifi has joined with local general opportunity for car and motorcycle
insurer Eric Insurance to launch a dealerships to diversify their

VACC members gain

virtual business manager (VBM) revenue streams in accordance with
that promotes an alternative online consumer buying trends.
F&I channel for car and motorcycle “Not only does this benefit

customers while creating a new
revenue stream for dealers.
The partnership with Nodifi allows
Eric to provide dealerships with a
Tier 2 accredited resource to help
customers with finance and insurance
options for new and used vehicles
purchased through dealerships.
The VBM model allows dealers
to have new revenue streams by
offering customers alternative
channels to finance and insure their
vehicle purchase.
Eric Insurance general manager
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
access to technical
dealerships’ bottom line, but
also delivers a seamless buying
experience for their customers,
appealing to a growing demographic
chasing a virtual buying experience,” repair information and
service data
he said.
Nodifi CEO Tom Caesar said
the new partnership “reaffirms the
upward trajectory the business
is experiencing”, following its
partnership with industry-leading
aggregator, Connective.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE PAGE 25
You’re the most important
person in the showroom
KPMG’s Motor Industry Services Team puts you in the centre
when we map out strategies for your business.
We look at your dealership from every angle – wealth creation,
customer focus, people, process, planning.
The right disciplines and the right data will drive the best results –
but no two dealerships are alike.
So our specialists tailor their advice to fit your unique business needs.
Find out more about our customised approach to success
and email the KPMG Motor Industry Services Team today:

mis@kpmg.com.au
David Brown
Senior Manager
Motor Industry Services
KPMG

© 2020 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. 378288416ENT

GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews
PREPARING FOR THE BOUNCEBACK

Schmick streamlines
IT systems
Scratch and Dent Assist group looks for productivity
gains from online jobs management app
By JOHN MELLOR
SCHMICK Scratch and Dent
Assist program, which has more
than 150,000 members, has recently
developed internally a repairs app
which manages the entire back end
of the onsite vehicle repair business.
The Schmick membership
program assists with the repairs of
minor scratches and dents delivered
from a fleet of fully equipped
company-owned mobile repair vans
staffed by qualified spray painters
who repair cars on site for a low fee
that is usually just $50 per repair.
It is run along the lines of car club
roadside assist services, and saves
members hundreds, sometimes
thousands of dollars compared to
panel shop repairs and prevents
loss of vehicle for days on end for
relatively minor damage repairs.
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
The managing director of Schmick,
Jason Jaap, told GoAutoNews
Premium: “This has really pushed
the business to the next level and
puts us in a really strong position
to propel growth to that next level
while maintaining our high customer
service levels once we’re on the
other side of this COVID-19 crisis.”
He said the app was developed
so that mobile devices used by
technicians in the field can plug into
the management system in real time.
“As a repair request comes in,
the details of the job along with
a photo of the damage is sent to
the appropriate technician. The
app helps manage every aspect of
the repair from booking through
to invoicing and everything in
between. There are no hard diaries
or manual invoicing – everything is
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managed via our app,” he said.
“Technicians pick up their jobs
from the app, it will track and record
the details and outcomes of every
call, so it notes who they have talked
to, and when, and manages each step
of every job through to invoicing.
“The beauty of this is the complete
transparency. We know the progress
on every job.
“It is also easier for the
technicians. They can easily book
jobs, change jobs, order all their
repair consumables from the app
and we know where all the vans are
located at any time. We can move
jobs around very easily if we need to.
“It basically gives us so much
more control over the operations
of the business as we know what
everyone is doing at any one time
and allows us to provide a higher
level of service.
“So now we have a platform that
will help us to do so much more,”
Mr Jaap said.
As part of the first upgrade,
Schmick introduced SMS reminders
for all customer appointments.
“This is common in the likes of
the medical profession and other
industries even for car servicing but it
is not something we have been able to
do as there is no off-the-shelf product
that has all our software requirements
which is the reason we have custom-
built our own,” Mr Jaap said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 27
GoAutoNews Premium The business pages of GoAutoNews
The challenge of
margin compression
Absolute Results looks at strategies to put in place
during the COVID-19 slowdown
By JEFF WILLIAMS
IS THIS bold statement really true?
“If buying a car is a commodity,
there is no solution for margin
compression.”
To arrive at an answer we need to
define a commodity: a commodity
is a basic good that is used in
commerce and is interchangeable
with other commodities of the same
type. Iron ore, coal, wheat, orange
juice, etc.
Okay. Got that. But if we want to
dispute the assertion that a car is a
commodity we need to establish
why car buying is not a commodity
purchase.
Firstly, buying a car is emotional;
and it is personal.
The vast majority of car purchases
are not solely utilitarian. Car
buying is much more. Customers’
EDITION 1018 - APR 22, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
selection and purchase decisions are
often a reflection of their lifestyle,
personality, social status, enjoyment,
prestige, accomplishment, and of
course their stage of life.
Secondly, car buying is a very
complex transaction.
There’s the complexity of selection
– there are so many models, trim
levels, option packages and features.
As a matter of fact, many models
have a 100 per cent-plus pricing
premium for the top of the line versus
the base equipment package.
Then there’s the technology
puzzle. Today’s new vehicles have
so many new technology features
and enhancements, with more new
technology coming every year. And
of course there are also the many
ownership and finance options
including the vehicle price, trade-
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in value, interest rates, terms and rate the test drive as a “very important” dealers today is really the battle
mechanical protection options. part of the buying process. to de-commoditise the car buying
Thirdly, buying a car is an So keeping all this in mind, it’s process by delivering a high-value
experiential transaction. no wonder that the car buying customer experience.
Consumers want to touch and feel process is best facilitated by a Only a high-value customer
the car. They want to hear stories trained professional and fulfilled as experience will allow dealers
about the model and the brand. a highly relational transaction. This to engage their customers in
Before they buy, they want to be is confirmed by consumer research a consultative dialogue and
wowed about a vehicle and hear in which more than 73 per cent of to facilitate a quality product
about how it’s built, who else drives consumers surveyed indicated that experience, allowing them to
it and what all the features can do. they would travel further to do business preserve well-earned margins.
Even more important, recent studies with a great sales professional.
show that 67 per cent of consumers So the “margin struggle” for car FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PAGE 28
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