AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY JOURNAL EDITION 1032 – JUL 29, 2020

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Renault resetsAfter considering its future in Australia, French brand recommitswith new-look, SUV-focused line-up from 2021 – including Arkana!

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By ROBBIE WALLIS

RENAULT has announced wide-ranging changes to its Australian product portfolio, axing all passenger cars bar its image-leading Renault Sport Megane performance model and instead following market trends to prioritise its SUV and light-commercial vehicle range.

At a media briefing this week, the local arm of the French auto giant revealed that it had assessed its long-term viability in Australia during what managing director Anouk Poelmann described as “one of the most challenging periods in our history”.

The result was a decision to remain operating in Australia for the foreseeable future, albeit with a major restructure of its model range and priorities that sees the longstanding Clio light hatch and the niche Zoe electric car deleted from the line-up.

What’s more, the recently introduced Kadjar small SUV will be another casualty of the cutbacks, with Renault Australia instead developing a successful business

case for the all-new Arkana coupe-style crossover that occupies the same segment and will be launched here in the second half of 2021.

Arkana will bolster Renault’s SUV range that in the first quarter of next year will welcome the second-generation Captur light crossover.

An updated version of the Koleos mid-size SUV will check in next year, too, while Renault Australia has also signalled its desire to add at least one large SUV to its line-up by leveraging its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Watch out for RS versions of its SUVs, while further afield the company remains hopeful the second-generation Alaskan ute will enable a long-anticipated entrance into the popular pick-up segment and strengthen its LCV stable that spans the Kangoo, Trafic and Master vans.

Furthermore, the Megane RS comes in for an overhaul next year, and the A110S sportscar from Renault’s Alpine sub-brand is also firming for launch in 2021, joining the current A110.

Continued next pageArkana

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Ms Poelmann said the product rollout would play a vital role in helping Renault achieve its goal of retaining and strengthening its market share through the worst of the COVID-19 economic impacts and beyond.

Through the first half of this year, Renault sales have slipped 33.4 per cent to 2621 units, while its market share has slipped from 0.7 to 0.6 per cent. Last year, the brand managed 8634 sales, down almost 14 per cent on the 10,000 units it recorded in 2018.

“In the very volatile market, very unpredictable at the moment, it’s honestly difficult to forecast our volume for the year,” Ms Poelmann said.

“All I can say is that we are probably more focused on maintaining our share of the market. So far we have been tracking well, we are tracking in the right direction when it comes to our share, and our ambition is to always show year-on-year growth in market share.”

Arkana’s confirmation now places Renault as the frontrunner to be the first mainstream brand to offer a coupe-style small SUV in Australia,

joining premium entrants such as the BMW X2 and Audi Q2.

Visually, the Arkana bears a strong resemblance to the Megane hatch, with a nearly identical headlight cluster and front grille, while the wide-set tail-light motif is

also strikingly similar.At the Arkana’s global debut at the

2018 Moscow motor show, Renault Australia said it was keen to secure the model but that right-hand-drive production remained a question mark.

While the Russian version is built on Renault’s B0+ platform, Australian examples will be built in Busan, South Korea, based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s more modern CMF-B platform.

Powertrain options are yet to be confirmed, however the most suitable engine choice is likely the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder found on the Captur and Kadjar. In

the latter it produces 117kW/260Nm.Renault Australia senior product

manager Charly Clercin said the decision to replace the newly introduced Kadjar with Arkana was due to the fact that the Spanish-built Kadjar was already an ageing model when it launched here late last year,

whereas the Arkana is brand-new.As is the case with Koleos, other

advantages with Korean sourcing include shorter lead times and a better pricing position due to reduced shipping costs and the free-trade agreement in place between South Korea and Australia.

The all-new Spanish-built Captur is also underpinned by the CMF-B platform and is set to arrive here next year with a three-variant line-up consisting of the familiar Life, Zen and Intens variants.

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PUBLISHER: John MellorEDITOR: Terry Martin JOURNALISTS: Robbie Wallis, Callum Hunter, Byron Mathioudakis, Haitham Razagui, Neil Dowling, Nathan PonchardPRODUCTION: Luc Britten

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By CALLUM HUNTER

GOING into a tyre shop for a wheel alignment or manually tweaking your set-up for optimum performance could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new ‘active wheel alignment system’ (AWAS) developed by Victorian-based company Doftek.

Considered a world-first, Doftek’s new system is claimed to allow for on-the-fly adjustments of wheel camber, caster and toe-in via a three-mode selector switch to cater for varying demands of a particular road and driver.

Compatible with MacPherson strut, double-wishbone and multilink suspension configurations, the system can vary the wheel camber by up to three degrees between normal (zero degrees) and sport+ (-3.0 degrees), with a sport

mode treading a neat middle ground with a camber angle of -1.5 degrees.

According to Doftek co-founder and project leader Geoff Rogers, AWAS addresses many of the key

shortfalls – including weight, cost and compatibility – found in previous attempts.

“Our real-world testing demonstrates that this technology can provide next-generation performance gains to vehicle

manufacturers,” he said.Doftek says the system provides

“at least” a 15 per cent increase in handling performance, 10 per cent reduction in rolling resistance, and a 10 per cent reduction in peak tyre temperatures.

With those figures taken from the first prototype, Doftek has now secured financial support from the federal government’s Advanced

Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) to develop the second version which should bring “next-generation dynamic (semi-active) and adaptive (real-time) capabilities” and an “improvement of up to 29 per cent in handling performance observed during initial testing”.

The AMGC is matching Doftek’s investment of $196,425 dollar-for-dollar, taking the total budget for the second prototype to $392,850.

Mr Rogers said the funding provided by the AMGC had allowed the company to accelerate its development and commercialisation efforts into global markets, with a particular emphasis on Europe and Japan.

While the technology will inevitably trickle down into mainstream vehicles, Doftek says the initial targets for AWAS are luxury and performance vehicles

before expanding to also encompass electric and autonomous vehicles.

Discussions around interest levels with OEMs are reportedly ongoing, with Doftek eager to have prototypes fitted to manufacturer test vehicles as soon as business conditions improve in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim being to position the company as a future OEM supplier.

AMGC managing director Jens Goennemann said Doftek typified the strong impact Australia’s automotive component sector can have on a global scale, despite vehicle manufacturing no longer operating here.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Stars aligning

Future bright as Aussie firm develops world-first ‘active’ wheel alignment system with AMGC aid

Geoff Rogers

Doftek AWAS prototypes

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By TERRY MARTIN

THE Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has announced an industry-developed CO2 emissions standard for car manufacturers that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new passenger cars and lighter SUVs sold in Australia by 36 per cent by 2030.

The voluntary standard, which is long-term in nature and comes without penalties or government regulation as seen in other countries, aims to reduce the current average CO2 emissions across the industry – at 169 grams per kilometre for passenger cars and SUVs last year – to below 100g/km.

This represents a four per cent reduction on average achieved each year over the next decade.

Light-commercial vehicles and heavier-duty SUVs pose a more

difficult challenge, with the FCAI expecting to achieve a reduction of about 30 per cent with these two categories combined.

Last year, CO2 emissions from new LCVs sold in Australia averaged 223g/km. The target for 2030, with heavy SUVs included, is 145g/km, reflecting a three per cent reduction per annum.

The new standard only applies to FCAI members, which includes 40 major brands but not the market-leading electric vehicle brand Tesla, which last year sold about 3000 cars.

The initiative places Australia at least a decade behind the progress made in other markets such as Europe, where stricter mandatory emissions that ramp up this year require all brands to cut their passenger and SUV model range to 95g/km – or

to 147g/km for LCVs – which are similar figures to the targets the FCAI is aiming to achieve by 2030.

The EU is also introducing ever-stricter standards, switching to a 15 per cent reduction (from the 2021 starting point) for both passenger vehicles and vans by 2025. From 2030 onwards, a 37.5 and 31 per cent reduction is also mandated for cars and vans respectively.

In its defence, the FCAI says the Australian standard – which

it describes as a “stretch target” – was developed specifically for this market and deliberately avoids discouraging buyers from purchasing large and typically higher-emitting vehicles such as SUVs and pick-ups.

Instead, the industry is relying on the continuous improvement of engine technology and the ongoing rollout of low- or zero-emissions vehicles to achieve substantial reductions, which are not reliant on specific incentives

to purchase green cars and do not require mandatory targets or related regulatory reform such as higher fuel quality and the adoption of the Euro 6 emissions standard.

The FCAI said the new Australian system is based on standards used overseas, including in Europe, China and the United States, and that it was developed over four years in consultation with the car-makers and all levels of government.

Continued next page

CO2 standard

Industry’s voluntary scheme targets 36 per centCO2 emissions drop for cars, light SUVs by 2030

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Continued from previous page

According to the chamber, the new standard was deliberately designed as a “long-term objective which recognises that different brands will follow different paths towards the target depending on their individual model cycles”.

It also emphasised that “the pathway to the new target may not be without impediment and it is fully expected that individual manufacturers may not always record annual improvement; in this instance, the end goal of meeting the 2030 target remains the key focus”.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the standard “aims to provide certainty to manufacturers to enable them to confidently plan future product for the Australian market”.

“The pathway to the 2030 target will not be smooth. We won’t see linear improvements on an annual

basis from all brands across the membership – that’s just not going to happen,” he said.

“There is only one target here; that is, 2030. This is a difficult target and a difficult process that we are going through but we believe this is something that is worth doing.

“There are no direct penalties, but there will be information in the public domain … that will be used by consumers to make an informed decision about their next vehicle purchase, which they already do on a whole range of issues.

“This is not a ‘toothless tiger’. We will be reporting on an annual basis on our progress to the 2030 target, and it will be in the public domain.”

Asked why Australia’s standard appeared to be 10 years behind Europe, Mr Weber said: “Europe started a long time ago. It’s about the rate of improvement … not the

overall number. It’s about improving from the starting point.

“What you need to think about here is the overall objective, and the overall objective is reducing the CO2 that you are putting into the atmosphere as an industry. And that is exactly what we’re doing.

“The differential in vehicle size is significant between what is sold in the European Union and what is sold in Australia, and that is why with this scheme we have picked up

elements of the US scheme, because their vehicle market more reflects ours, and we’ve also picked up parts of the European scheme because our vehicle ADRs (Australian Design Rules) are aligned with European standards.”

FCAI technical director Ashley Sanders also said the EU regulations and market conditions were not directly comparable – “it’s trying to compare apples with pears” – and that the Australian CO2 standard

was nonetheless achieving similar reductions on a year-on-year basis to that achieved in Europe and the US.

Responding to the suggestion that a number of car-makers were opposed to the standard, Mr Weber said: “There’s no doubt that this is a substantial reform that we are making, and it’s not easy. The target is particularly tough.”

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By TERRY MARTIN

THE Australian Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has called on the federal government to introduce mandatory CO2 emissions standards in the wake of the Australian car industry’s move to a voluntary system.

Starting from this year, the industry-led scheme aims to reduce passenger car and light SUV emissions by an average of four per cent per annum over the next 10 years – or three per cent in the case of heavy SUVs and light-commercial vehicles – by relying on the continuous improvement of traditional powertrains and the ongoing rollout of electrified vehicles.

It does not involve mandatary targets set by government that bring with them penalties for noncompliance, as

seen in other markets such as Europe which has been phasing in tougher standards since 2012.

As GoAuto has reported, European regulations stipulate

car-makers must this year achieve a fleet average of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre for passenger cars and SUVs, while Australia’s new voluntary standard sets out a similar target (less than 100g/km) by 2030.

EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari described the industry’s new standard as “a welcome step that paves the way forward” but says the unilateral move “shows the door is open for government to implement mandatory emission standards that encourage the best clean vehicles to be made available to Australian consumers”.

Continued next page

EVC responds

Electric Vehicle Council calls for mandatory CO2regulations in wake of FCAI’s voluntary scheme

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Continued from previous page

“Today’s announcement proves the industry recognises that CO2 standards benefit consumers,” Mr Jafari said.

“The government should follow the lead and introduce mandatory standards comparable to the US, the EU, and most other markets.

“Until this happens we’ll just have to accept that a huge proportion of the world’s most appealing EVs will be unavailable to Australian consumers.

“Standards need to be designed in a way that encourages auto-makers to bring their EV models to Australia.

“Australians are early adopters, but they’re missing out on many of the benefits of EVs because our governments have failed to act.

“The relevant stakeholders in Australia are ready to move with the times, but ultimately government needs to play a major role.”

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive Tony Weber said the car industry has

been in constant dialogue with the federal government and opposition “for a number of years” – including representation on the ministerial forum on vehicle emissions – and that the preference in Canberra was clearly to let industry initiate reform.

“I think it’s fair to say that in Australia, and you see evidence of this from both sides of politics, that right across industries the government’s preference is that where industry responds and (where) they don’t need to regulate, they will not regulate,” he said.

“They’re happy for industries to take the momentum, and make the direction, rather than regulate.

“The best example of that is the electricity sector, where renewables are coming on stream very quickly and the government is happy to let that happen and not have to regulate in that position.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREHighs and lows – page 16

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By CALLUM HUNTER

HONDA has treated its CR-V mid-size SUV to a comprehensive upgrade for the 2021 model year, with the five- and seven-seat family wagon receiving fresh styling, more standard equipment and higher levels of safety technology.

The increase in standard specification also brings with it a price rise of between $1000 and $3200 depending on the variant, with the base Vi model now starting at $30,490 plus on-road costs.

On the style front, all variants

have been treated to the same facelift which brings new bumpers front and rear, new black grille treatment, dark-tinted tail-light lenses and dark chrome tailgate garnish.

New variant-dependent alloy wheels have been rolled out, while two new exterior colours have been added to the CR-V’s palette – Ignite Red and Cosmic Blue.

In terms of standard equipment, the Vi adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a new 7.0-inch infotainment screen and revamped centre console.

As before, the Vi relies on a 113kW/189Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, driving the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Further up the line, all CR-V variants are powered by a

140kW/240Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, similarly using a CVT but with drive sent to either the front or all four wheels (depending on the variant).

These 1.5-litre variants now span the VTi (from $33,490), VTi 7 ($35,490), VTi X ($35,990), VTi L AWD ($40,490), VTi L7 ($43,490) and, still at the top of the tree, the VTi LX AWD ($47,490), commanding an extra $3200 than before.

Significantly, they all now include as standard the Honda Sensing safety suite, which adds forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, road-departure mitigation and adaptive cruise control.

Other more variant-specific standard equipment changes include the addition of wireless smartphone charging to the VTi L7 and VTi LX AWD, with the former also scoring a hands-free power

tailgate and LED headlights.The VTi L AWD also scores

leather upholstery and heated front seats.

According to Honda Australia director Stephen Collins, customers have been “wanting a higher level of specification, but at what is still considered to be an affordable price point” while demand for a cloth-trimmed seven-seater had also risen.

FULL STORY, PRICING: CLICK HERE

CR-V steps up

Higher pricing for Honda’s revamped mid-size SUVreflects new infotainment tech, better safety spec

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By ROBBIE WALLIS

MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed local pricing and specification for its all-new, second-generation GLE Coupe large SUV, with diesel engines conspicuously absent from the three-variant line-up that will start from $137,000 plus on-road costs for the GLE450.

The only non-performance variant, the GLE450 sits underneath the $171,800 AMG-fettled GLE53 and the range-topping GLE63 S, which asks $222,700 plus on-roads.

The diesel 350d variant has been deleted from the range, while the petrol inline-six GLE53 replaces the GLE43 V6.

Compared to the GLE wagon range, the GLE450 Coupe is priced a considerable $19,600 upstream of its wagon counterpart, while the

GLE53 Coupe is a fair bit closer in price with a $5100 difference.

Pricing for the GLE63 S wagon has not been released.

Order books are now open for the GLE53, while the GLE450 arrives

in September and the GLE63 S will follow before the end of the year.

The new GLE Coupe has grown compared to its predecessor, measuring 39mm longer and 7mm wider with a 20mm-longer wheelbase, which has led to an additional 40L of storage space and 35mm-wider cabin aperture.

Despite its increase in wheelbase length, the GLE Coupe is still 60mm shorter between the axles than the wagon to allow for sportier handling characteristics, with the more aerodynamic new-generation

coupe now nine per cent slipperier than its predecessor.

With Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific deciding against bringing the GLE350d and GLE400d diesels here, the range opens with the GLE450, powered by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, producing 270kW/500Nm.

The 48V EQ Boost system can also momentarily contribute an

additional 16kW/250Nm, with power sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Reaching 100km/h from standstill takes 5.7 seconds, while the mild-hybrid six-pot sips an average of 9.2 litres of fuel per 100km.

The sporty attitude of the GLE450 is underscored by AMG Line exterior styling, 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, multibeam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assistant

plus, a panoramic glass sunroof, keyless go and a powered tailgate.

Inside, the 450 features the MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch digital displays, Burmester surround-sound system, Nappa leather upholstery, heated front seats with memory setting, ambient lighting and smartphone integration with wireless charging.

Safety equipment extends to adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, cross-traffic assist, lane-change assist, blind-spot assist, traffic-sign recognition, surround-view monitor and nine airbags.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Diesel decision

AMG variants dominate new Mercedes GLE Coupe launch line-up in Australia as oil-burners left out

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By CALLUM HUNTER

BMW Group Australia has announced that its facelifted M5 Competition super-sedan will arrive in October priced from $244,900 plus on-road costs, up $10,000 on its predecessor but with mechanical and specification upgrades to offset the increase.

Continuing in Australia in full-fat Competition guise only, the new M5 has received chassis modifications that include dampers borrowed from

the flagship M8 Competition Gran Coupe and a series of other “well-conceived tweaks to the suspension and springs” that see it riding 7mm lower than the standard M5 not offered here.

According to BMW, the new dampers not only enhance the M5’s dynamic capabilities, but the ride comfort as well, while stiffer engine mounts under the bonnet are designed to help improve turn-in.

There are no changes to the powertrain, the M5 Competition sticking with a 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

That means 0-100km/h is still dispatched in a supercar-scaring 3.3 seconds, 200km/h is reached in 10.8 seconds and top speed

remains at 305km/h.Those with a keen eye for detail

will notice the updated model features a raft of subtle styling changes, chief among them being new headlights and taller twin kidney grille design.

Other changes include a larger front air intake, bolder contouring and a revamped tail-light arrangement.

As before, the Competition moniker adds extra visual flare by

way of black paintwork on the intake and gill mesh, grille surround, wing mirror caps, bootlid spoiler and rear apron inserts, specific black badging and black chrome exhaust tips.

It also has 20-inch M light-alloy bicolour wheels in a Y-spoke design and mixed-size tyres measuring 275/35R20 up front and 285/35R20 at the rear.

Changes inside the cabin primarily extend to a new 12.3-inch

infotainment touchscreen (up from 10.25”) and two new buttons added to the centre console – M1 and M2.

Continuing the M8 Competition theme, the new buttons allow drivers to flick between Road and Sport driving modes and provide a shortcut to the configuration menu within the infotainment system to tailor the car’s set-up to their liking.

FULL STORY, PRICING: CLICK HERE

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020GoAutoNews

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By CALLUM HUNTER

AUDI Australia has treated its high-performance medium-sized RS4 Avant and RS5 Coupe and Sportback to a welcome facelift, adding extra flair and features and slashing retail prices by up to $6800.

Now available from dealerships, the RS4 is priced from $147,900 plus on-road costs (-$4629) – available only in the station wagon body style – while the two-door RS5 Coupe and five-door RS5 Sportback shed a healthy $6800 from their previous starting prices to now kick off from $150,900 plus on-roads apiece.

Despite the price reductions, Audi says none of the RS mid-sizers have dropped any standard equipment; on the contrary, they have actually gained new features

along with styling tweaks.On the design front, all variants

have a wider, more aggressive version of Audi’s unique single-frame grille – also now with a gloss-black finish for the mesh – to align

them more closely with the rest of the RS range.

Paying homage to the legendary 1984

Quattro, Audi’s design team has also installed a string of small air vents along the bonnet line to “fringe” the updated grille.

The rest of the exterior package is largely carried over, with 20-inch Audi Sport wheels, gloss-red RS brake callipers and oval-tipped RS sports exhaust system all making a return.

Matrix LED headlights are standard, too, and the RS5 twins add Audi laser light to help extend the beams further

at speeds above 70km/h.Inside, front passengers are treated

to a new 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system, which sees the removal of the previous centre console-mounted controller. The system itself features the Audi Smartphone Interface, while audio is played through a 19-speaker 755W Bang and Olufsen sound system.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

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Audi slashes prices, adds equipment with latestRS4 Avant, RS5 Coupe and Sportback now on sale

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020GoAutoNews

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By ROBBIE WALLIS

SUPERCAR newcomer Gordon Murray Automotive has revealed full details of the savage Cosworth naturally aspirated V12 set to underpin the British brand’s first model, the T50.

Detailed ahead of the supercar’s reveal on August 4, the 3.9-litre V12 is being touted as the world’s highest-revving, fastest-responding, most power-dense and lightest aspirated V12 road car engine.

The T50’s mid-mounted Cosworth powerplant will be capable of revving all the way to a manic 12,100rpm, producing 488kW of power at 11,500rpm with peak torque pegged at a more everyday 467Nm, albeit at 9000rpm.

With the T50 tipping the scales at just 980kg, the engine helps provide

a power-to-weight ratio of 494kW per tonne, with the engine itself only weighing 178kg.

To achieve its low weight, the engine block is made from aluminium alloy, with a steel crankshaft and titanium connecting rods, valves and clutch housing.

When set in the most potent Vmax drive setting, the engine can liberate an extra 37kW from the integrated mild-hybrid 48-volt starter-generator, which also helps to lower emissions.

The V12 was developed from the ground up and took inspiration from a number of engines including the 3.5-litre Honda V12 used in McLaren Formula One cars from the 1990s, the BMW S70/2 V12 from the legendary McLaren F1 and even the 3.3-litre V12 powering the

iconic Ferrari 250 GTO.Gordon Murray said his extensive

experience in motorsport and engine development played a large role in creating the manic new Cosworth V12.

“Ultra-light components, intelligent packaging and a really fast engine response all come directly from my 20 years’ experience in Formula One,” he said.

“It also informs how everything is driven – the T50 has no belts, it’s

all gear-driven – a direct inheritance from the pinnacle of motorsport.”

With its 12,100rpm redline, the new V12 is now the highest-revving road car engine ever, beating Murray’s own Light Car Company ‘Rocket’ which managed a redline of 11,500rpm.

Responsiveness is also a hallmark of the new engine, with the T50’s V12 able to rev from idle to 12,100rpm in just 0.3 seconds, meaning it is capable of up to 28,400 revs per second. For reference, an F1 engine is capable of

around 10,000 per second.A screaming redline and aspirated

engine naturally lends itself to a sonorous engine note, with Murray borrowing the Direct Path Induction Sound system pioneered on the McLaren F1, which uses the cold-air ram induction intake sitting above the driver’s head and the varying thickness of the carbon-fibre roof to amplify engine sound into the cabin.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

T50’s big heart

Gordon Murray details high-revving aspiratedCosworth V12 ahead of T50 supercar’s unveiling

To apply, please send your resume with a covering letter to ana.todirascu@toyota.com.au or phone Ana Todirascu, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, for a confidential discussion on 0429 509 121. Applications close 6pm Friday 7 August 2020. Toyota is an equal opportunity employer.

TOYOTA AUSTRALIA is currently seeking an experienced Project Coordinator to join the head office team on a two year contract basis.In this challenging role you will be responsible for supporting the objectives of various vehicle conversion strategies. As part of a growing team you will be exposed to all areas of the business through your hands-on coordination of cross-functional projects and associated technical requirements.The reward will be in bringing to market highly desirable products that meet the needs of future motoring customers. This is your opportunity to help shape Australia’s automotive industry and contribute to the future of Toyota business, enhancing the work and life of our customers.

The successful candidate will have:• Degree qualification. • Technical project and task scheduling experience.• Strong product visualisation skills. • Ability to develop accurate reports and presentations.• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.• Effective communication skills with attention to detail.Life at Toyota and what we offer you:At Toyota we believe in our people to make it happen. We’re proud of every single one of them and give them the recognition and reward they deserve. From comprehensive remuneration to flexible working conditions and healthcare, we invest in our people to make their careers great!

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020GoAutoNews

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By CALLUM HUNTER

MINI Australia has taken a makeup kit to its manic Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW), tweaking the high-performance small SUV’s design, and adding extra cabin technology, to boost its appeal.

Local pricing and specification remain under wraps for now, with the new model due to arrive in the fourth quarter – around the same time as the updated regular Countryman range and about a year after the JCW’s most recent update, which

brought a power hike to 225kW and a corresponding price increase to $65,900 plus on-road costs.

As before, the Countryman JCW can be distinguished from its regular stablemates by its aggressive bodykit, bigger wheels and slightly lower ride height, with the facelifted version scoring a new red strip across its grille rather than the current red grille surround.

The standard LED headlights have also been reshaped, while at the rear the LED tail-lights have been brought into line with other Mini models and now form two halves of the Union Jack (one half each).

A new ‘Piano Black Exterior’ pack is also available for a bit of added menace, blacking out the headlight surrounds, radiator grille, doorhandles, rear lights and model

lettering on the tailgate.The other main visual tweak

comes in the form of new 95mm twin exhaust tips which not only up the visual prowess of the hot little SUV, but also the aural experience given they serve as endcaps for a new sports exhaust system.

The new exhaust system has not impacted on the Countryman JCW’s engine output which remains pegged at 225kW/450Nm courtesy of the BMW Group’s B48 2.0-litre

four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit.Drive is sent to all four wheels

(18-inch JCW light alloys) via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an electronic front differential lock helping keep the front wheels in check and tighten up the handling.

The dash from 0-100km/h is dispatched in a claimed 5.1 seconds, while combined-cycle fuel economy is rated at between 6.9 and 7.3 litres per 100km.

The JCW Countryman’s cabin has

also received a workover with most of the controls being subtly reorganised and scoring touch-sensitive bookmark buttons, while the circular control unit has been given a “new refined surface” around its circumference.

Other major changes include a new 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an expansion of the Mini Connected features to now include Amazon Alexa integration.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020GoAutoNews

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By ROBBIE WALLIS

JEEP has ripped the covers off its Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, a vehicle that previews the arrival of a V8-powered production Wrangler in the near future.

The headline act of the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the fitment of a 6.4-litre (or 392 cubic-inch) aspirated Hemi V8 as found in the Grand Cherokee SRT, tuned to produce 336kW/610Nm – easily outstripping anything else on the

off-road-oriented 4x4 market.Mated to an eight-speed

automatic transmission, the burly V8 allows the Wrangler 392 to reach 60mph (97km/h) in less than five seconds, despite the fitment of a raft of off-road enhancements.

The Rubicon 392’s output easily trumps anything in the current Wrangler portfolio, which includes the 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and the 147kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

Wrangler fans may also be given the option of a 194kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 in the near future, with the new engine recently announced for the mechanically related Gladiator pick-up.

While not yet confirmed for a

production Wrangler, Jeep said the Rubicon 392 Concept is an “indication (fans) may soon get their wish” for a V8 Wrangler, with FCA North America head of Jeep brand Jim Morrison saying there has been demand for a long time.

“Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts have been asking us for a Wrangler V8, and our new Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept proves that we have the ability to make that happen,” he said.

“We are anxious to gauge their reaction to this new Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, a vehicle that delivers an incredible and

unmatched level of fun-to-drive performance and capability, on- and off-road.”

To fit the engine, the concept features upgraded engine mounts and a modified frame, as well as a prominent hood scoop not unlike that on the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series.

Along with the V8 engine, Jeep has placed a large emphasis on making the Rubicon 392 concept as off-road capable as possible, fitting heavy-duty gear such as Dana 44 axles, electric front and rear diff lockers, full-time two-speed transfer case with 3.73 gear ratio and

massive 37-inch mud-terrain tyres with custom 17-inch beadlock rims.

A 2.0-inch Mopar lift kit with new aluminium monotube Fox shocks has also been fitted to accommodate the beefy rubber, while rock rails, steel bumper with a Warn winch and steel underbody protection make the Rubicon concept truly trail-ready.

For those who want passers-by to notice the fitment of a V8, a two-mode exhaust can be toggled at the flick of a switch.

Other distinctive features include Granite Crystal exterior paint with bronze tow hooks, unique badging, custom half doors, sliding ‘powertop’ roof and removable side doors.

Inside, the concept is adorned in Red Rock-coloured leather with gold stitching and a performance steering wheel.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Wrangler V8

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept previews V8-powered performance flagship in works

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

PAGE 16

GoAutoNewsMarket Insight

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By TERRY MARTIN

AVERAGE carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new passenger cars and SUVs registered in the European Union, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom increased in 2019 for the third consecutive year, to 122.4 grams per kilometre, according to provisional data published late last month by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The figure for light-commercial vehicles (primarily vans) also increased across the region last year (to 158.4g/km), prompting the EEA to urge that zero- and low-emission vehicles be deployed much faster across Europe to achieve the stricter mandatory targets being phased in from this year.

These tough new rules require car manufacturers to cut average emissions across their passenger model range to 95 grams per kilometre in 2020.

Last year’s result for new passenger vehicles remained below the annual target of 130g/km set for between 2015 and 2019 (after a phase-in period starting in 2012), but has sparked concern that the automotive

industry will fail to reverse the trend and achieve an unlikely 27.4g/km reduction this year.

Similarly, the industry achieved the 2017-19 van emissions target of 175g/km in 2013 – four years ahead of schedule – but is now battling to bring it down to 2020’s tougher requirement of 147g/km.

According to the EEA, the reasons behind the rise in passenger vehicle emissions last year include the growing share of the SUV segment, while an increase in the average mass of vans has similarly impacted negatively on the figures.

Both classes of vehicle are also finding a slow market penetration of electric powertrains, both full-electric and plug-in hybrid.

Yet car manufacturers, still executing their crisis management plans in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, face heavy penalties for exceeding the 2020 fleet target.

There are a few concessions in place for this first year (basically, a five per cent reprieve), but from 2021 average emissions of all newly registered vehicles must be below the new level.

Future targets approved by the EU

last year take a different turn, with a 15 per cent reduction (from the 2021 starting point) to be achieved with both passenger vehicles and vans by 2025. And from 2030 onwards, a 37.5 and 31 per cent reduction is mandated for cars and vans respectively.

Some countries have taken this further, with more than a dozen – many of them in Europe – planning to ban the sale of passenger vehicles powered by fossil fuels or internal combustion engines.

These include Norway (by 2025),

Sweden, Iceland, Ireland and the Netherlands (by 2030), and France and the UK (by 2040), while individual cities have also proposed similar clampdowns.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Calls for urgent action on EVs in Europe as CO2from cars, vans rise on eve of tougher new regs

Highs and lows

GoAuto Market Insight brought to you by Op2ma

Source: EEA

180

170

160

150

140

130

120

110

1002000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and SUVs sold in Europe

g/km

EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

PAGE 17

GoAutoNewsGreen

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By CALLUM HUNTER

JEEP has made its first move into the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market with the Renegade and Compass 4xe twins debuting in Europe last week.

There are no plans at this stage to offer either new PHEV model Down Under, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia saying it continues to monitor “the take-up of electrification in Australia” and will enter the market “as soon as consumer appetite, regulations and infrastructure suggests the time is right”.

Order books are now open in Europe ahead of first deliveries in September for the two inaugural

4xe compact SUVs, both of which feature a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with two electric motors (one on each axle) and an 11.4kWh lithium-ion battery.

Both models will be available in Limited, S and Trailhawk trim levels, with a different power output at the entry level compared to higher-spec variants.

Left to its own devices, the internal combustion engine (ICE) produces 97kW/270Nm in Limited guise, with power jumping to 134kW when opting for either the S or the Trailhawk.

The electric motor on the rear axle, meanwhile, contributes an

extra 45kW and 250Nm.When the ICE and electric power

figures are combined, peak power for the Limited is rated at 142kW while the S and Trailhawk churn out 179kW.

No combined torque figure is provided for either, but Jeep says the Trailhawk “boasts an increase in torque output up to 50 per cent” compared to the equivalent diesel.

Regardless, Jeep says the more potent powertrain will propel the Renegade and Compass 4xe twins from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 200km/h. The electric top speed is 130km/h.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Australia waits as Compass and Renegade 4xeplug-in hybrid electric vehicles emerge overseas

Jeep plugs inBy NEIL DOWLING

FOR the first time in its 17-year history, EV powerhouse Tesla Motors has reported a profit for four consecutive quarters that defied analysts’ expectations and now vindicates the potential profitability of electric vehicles.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk announced last week a $US104 million ($A146m) profit for the three months to June 30 that was recorded despite factory shutdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes after a $US16 million ($A22.4m) profit in the first quarter, $US143m ($A200m) in Q3 2019 and $US105m ($A147m) in Q4 2019.

Tesla’s solar roof and battery storage businesses contributed $US349 million ($A490m) to the group’s $US6.0 billion ($A8.5b)

revenue for the quarter.The company has also now

confirmed its Cybertruck will be built at a new factory in Austin, Texas, after the state committed $US65 million ($A91m) in tax breaks for Tesla for 10 years.

After the quarterly profit announcement, Tesla shares jumped to $US1677.78 ($A2278) each. This compares with the price of $US259 ($A364) a share one year ago. The shares have now settled back to around $US1417 ($A1990).

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

TESLA POWERS AHEAD WITH PROFITS, TEXAS PLANT

Renegade 4xe (left) and Compass 4xe

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

PAGE 18

GoAutoNewsPersonnel

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By TERRY MARTIN

KIA Motors Australia (KMAu) general manager of media and corporate communications Kevin Hepworth will leave the company on July 31 after leading the South Korean car-maker’s local public relations department for the past 10 years.

Mr Hepworth’s departure is one of several senior automotive public relations moves taking place in recent weeks.

Among them, head of corporate communications and government relations at Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL), Karl Gehling, recently left the Adelaide-based company after almost four years in the role.

Mr Gehling was previously general manager of communications for Volkswagen Group Australia in Sydney, a position he held for almost eight years.

Earlier he served for a similar period with Nissan Australia, primarily managing media relations for both Nissan and Renault.

MMAL has confirmed that media communications specialist Jessica Eastick will also leave the company

at the end of this month, similarly after almost four years with the Japanese brand.

MMAL public relations manager Catherine Humphreys-Scott, who joined company in March last year after senior roles at the RAA, now has responsibility for corporate

communications, government relations and corporate social responsibility.

At Kia, Mr Hepworth, who moved into PR with KMAu after many years as a senior motoring journalist

and editor, indicated there would be further changes ahead in terms of KMAu’s Sydney-based PR department’s structure.

However, other core members of the team will continue, namely media and

corporate communications manager Alyson MacDonald, and media and corporate comms co-ordinators Alicia Howard and Eve Lauter.

Meanwhile, Nissan Australia has announced the appointment of David Adams as senior manager of corporate communications, filling the Melbourne-based position

made vacant when Tony Mee left late last year.

Officially starting on August 3, Mr Adams has spent the past eight years with Aston Martin in the UK, most recently as product and motorsport press officer. He previously worked for Vauxhall as a product PR assistant.

Over at Mazda, former BMW Group Australia product communications manager Adam Davis has joined the company as senior public relations specialist.

Mr Davis arrives at Melbourne-based Mazda as PR specialist Amy O’Brien

takes 12 months’ maternity leave and will manage the department (under marketing director Alastair Doak) until senior manager of public relations and corporate communications Sonia Singh returns from maternity leave in November.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

By NEIL DOWLING

ASTON Martin’s former president and chief executive Andy Palmer has been appointed non-executive chairman of UK bus manufacturer Optare.

Dr Palmer left Aston Martin in May after the struggling British sports-luxury car-maker, backed by a consortium of new investors led by recently appointed executive chairman Lawrence Stroll, turned to former Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers to steer it through its financial difficulties.

Dr Palmer has been a non-executive director of Optare’s parent company, Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland, since 2015.

He takes over from John Fickling, who for personal reasons has stepped down as chairman after 10

years in the role. In a statement, Dr Palmer said: “I

am excited to be joining Optare at a pivotal moment in its development.

“We have ambitious plans to leverage the company’s technological leadership in building

a global zero-emissions solution platform that will bring long-term value to all stakeholders.”

Ashok Leyland chairman Dheeraj Hinduja thanked Mr Fickling for his “support and guidance” over the past

decade, and said Mr Palmer would “help guide in our mission to become a global leader in this (EV) segment”.

“The next phase of Optare’s growth is centred on expanding our electric vehicles business in the UK and many new markets,” Mr Hinduja said.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

FORMER ASTON BOSS STEPS UP AT EV BUS-MAKER

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN CAR INDUSTRY PR MOVES

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EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

PAGE 19

GoAutoNewsDiary

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By CALLUM HUNTER

TOYOTA has unveiled a substantial mid-life update for its strong-selling Camry medium-sized sedan, with the overhaul bringing fresh exterior styling, a revised cabin layout and enhanced safety systems.

Not due to touch down in Australia until mid-2021, the MY21 Camry series has received a bolder, more aggressive-looking grille and front

bumper combination while the rest of the body goes largely unchanged.

Inside, the dashboard has been reorganised in a bid to improve ergonomics and make it more aesthetically pleasing, including the addition of new a 7.0- or 9.0-inch ‘floating multimedia’ touchscreen, depending on the variant.

On the safety front, Toyota Australia would not be drawn into specifying what changes have been made to the Camry’s safety suite, telling GoAuto that information would be revealed closer to the updated model’s introduction next year.

That said, the US-spec Camry has been confirmed as the first Toyota

model to be offered with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, the company’s latest and most advanced driver-assist active safety suite to date.

Compared to the existing system, the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection has been upgraded to now detect cyclists in daylight and pedestrians in “low-light conditions”.

A new feature of the pre-collision system is the ability to stabilise

the driver’s emergency steering manoeuvres while avoiding a pedestrian or cyclist within their lane.

The radar cruise control system with stop-and-go function available on higher-series variants has been tweaked to allow for smoother acceleration when overtaking a slower vehicle, while lane-departure alert and lane-keep assist have been added to the suite.

Other new safety features include automatic high beam, road-sign assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

No major mechanical changes have been made to the petrol-engined variants, with the familiar 2.5-litre four-cylinder and 3.5-litre V6 carried over unchanged, as is the eight-speed automatic transmission.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Mid-life update for 2021 Toyota mid-sizer targetsexterior design, cabin layout, safety technology

Camry overhaulJUL

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Audi RS6/RS7

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Audi R8

Audi TT RS

Kia Picanto

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mini Electric Hatch

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Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR

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THE BUSINESS PAGES OF GOAUTONEWS

EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE

By NEIL DOWLING

A STRING of financial institutions are facing class actions by a growing number of law firms as consumers seek recourse over claims of inflated car loan interest rates.

The first to face court is Westpac, against which one legal firm involved in one of the class actions is claiming 400,000 consumers are involved.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers told GoAutoNews Premium that the current action was against Westpac but that loans by other financiers were being reviewed.

A second law firm with class action is Shine Lawyers which has also launched action against Westpac and its subsidiaries.

Maurice Blackburn this month started the Westpac class action in the Victorian Supreme Court.

In its statement, it alleges that Westpac and St George Finance “colluded with car dealers to sting consumers with unfair high- interest loans in Australia’s multi-billion-dollar car finance industry”.

Westpac says it will be defending the class action.

The law firm said that “based on ASIC statistics, it appears that there are approximately 400,000 class members, many of whom should be compensated for the (alleged) overcharging by Westpac and St George”.

The court documents lodged by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and viewed by GoAutoNews Premium cover 53 pages and cite two cases – a woman who bought a new Hyundai ix35 SUV from a Melbourne Hyundai dealer in 2015 for $43,390 on a loan over 84 months at 12.99 per cent; and a second woman who bought a new Nissan Qashqai from a Nissan dealer in Queensland for $42,647 on the same rate and loan period.

Maurice Blackburn’s statement said that the first plaintiff was a 25-year-old teacher’s aide who bought the Hyundai and had an interest bill on the car of almost $25,000. The second plaintiff had a similar interest bill.

Continued next page

Cox to buy DealerCellOnline finance integrator, DealerCell, has been snapped up by Cox Automotive Australia

VACC warns on JobKeeperDealers need to accurately calculate JobKeeper eligibility ahead of September changes

Loan class actions start400,000-plus motorists involved in first of many class actions against banks

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Continued from previous page

The documents state the women were not made aware of the interest rate or the loan period until the contract was signed and that the dealers set those figures.

In a statement, Maurice Blackburn national head of class actions Andrew Watson said “hundreds of thousands of consumers were affected by the practice, unaware that the interest rate on their car loans was inflated by the dealership in return for undisclosed kick-backs”.

“The expectations of consumers was that the dealer was a conduit for, but was not setting, the interest rate,” Mr Watson said.

“It is safe to assume that most consumers understood that the roles of car dealers and lenders were distinct.”

Mr Watson said: “This case will seek to prove that Westpac and St George failed to comply with their obligations under consumer credit protection laws and that this failure

caused substantial losses for many consumers.”

He said that in some cases consumers were made to pay interest rates that were more than 10 percentage points above the underlying base rate offered by the bank.

In many cases, consumers were not told of the loan’s interest rate until after they agreed to purchase the car.

The class action relates to ‘flex commissions’ on car loans taken out from Westpac and St George between March 1, 2013 and October 31, 2018.

On November 1, 2018, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), on receipt of the findings of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry and on months of contacting affected motorists, formally banned flex commissions in the car finance market.

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The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 22EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By JOHN MELLOR

COX Automotive Australia has agreed to acquire DealerCell, a software company that develops and operates sales and customer management software products for motor dealerships, finance companies and OEMs, including the provision of online finance sales platforms and lead management systems.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board, which could take up to six months. The price is undisclosed.

The sale follows an approach to DealerCell by Cox Automotive Australia which is seeking to realign the focus of its business Down Under since it sold the CarsGuide and Autotrader websites to eBay earlier this year.

The founder and CEO of DealerCell, Mark Lancaster, said in

a statement: “We were delighted but not surprised when Cox Automotive approached us to acquire the business.

“As a family-owned business Cox Automotive is a great fit for us and we look forward to playing an important role in growing their retail software solutions set.”

DealerCell’s main business model revolves around its online sales enablement platform for an auto finance approvals system for dealers. The loan approvals platform has been revolutionising the finance sales process in dealerships.

Dealers who subscribe to DealerCell are able to find out what car buyers can afford by getting instant online finance approvals early in the sales process.

The company will soon be offering the service online to the public so prospective buyers can

get loan approvals and know what payments they can afford before they start shopping for a car.

Using the DealerCell process in the showrooms, dealers are currently able to achieve finance penetration rates of more than 60 per cent.

Contrasting this, in a recent interview with GoAutoNews Premium, Mr Lancaster said: “If the customer gets into the dealership and buys a car the traditional way, and they go through a business

manager in the traditional way towards the end of the sales process, then the finance penetration is 35 per cent. It is, and has been for some time, consistently 35 per cent. It never changes.”

Cox said of the purchase that it is now focusing “on executing its broader strategy of building upon strengths in the wholesale arena and supporting dealers, OEMs, insurers, financiers, fleet/lease and rental companies with a connected retail

proposition which is becoming even more important in light of COVID-19”.

Rob Whiten, CEO of Cox Automotive Australia, said: “For many years Cox Automotive has focused on digitising the wholesale and retail automotive experience, to provide our customers the tools they need to keep their businesses moving forward in rapidly changing markets.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Online finance integrator, DealerCell, has been snapped up by Cox Automotive Australia

Cox to buy DealerCell

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The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 24EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By JOHN MELLOR

CAR care and vehicle protection specialist, MotorOne, has launched a new video service for dealers selling MotorOne products. The service is specifically designed to target car buyers who are now favouring a more contactless interaction with their dealer.

With many dealers operating on reduced staff numbers due to the pandemic, the new video platform has been developed to help dealers engage with potential ‘missed’ car care opportunities with customers.

But it can also be used to send dealer-branded video messages from all parts of the dealership as customers have become more and more receptive to online communications as a result of the recent lockdown,

especially in Victoria.The platform houses videos within

an appealingly-designed template that can contain subtitles supporting the product, or an offer, as well as the name and contact details of the sales staff featured in the video.

Called MotorOne LIVE, the key selling point is delivering a dealer-branded video sent by the dealer directly to the customer’s preferred device, to promote MotorOne’s car care protection products specifically to those car buyers who have just bought a car ‘that’ day and perhaps missed seeing a car care consultant.

In addition to MotorOne LIVE, dealers who don’t have a car care consultant perhaps because of austerity measures, MotorOne can become the contact point for

customers interested in purchasing car care products by using MotorOne’s call centre which manages the contact, and the sale, on behalf of the dealer.

Glenn Sharp, COO of MotorOne, told GoAutoNews Premium that the focus on videos was very timely.

“In the current climate, most people of all ages have wrapped their heads around dealing in videos and specifically video communications. We think this is something we are

going to see a lot more of in future and more of the way we will do business going forward.

“MotorOne LIVE is a great solution for dealers looking to grow their car care revenue and well suited to dealers who don’t have a dedicated car care consultant. Alternatively, their consultant has been stood down due to lockdown measures and restrictions.

“During these difficult times on the showroom floor, dealers can use

this video of our products which means dealers can present the product 100 per cent of the time, every time.

“It is also a solution for the new contactless world that we live in,” Mr Sharp said.

“The video can be shown by a car care consultant or another resource in the dealership and simply be pushed out to a customer and then followed up by us at a later date.

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PAGE 25EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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Continued from previous page

“Dealers say to me the issue they have with selling car care products is no different from the six-position sell of a car and that is making sure the car gets sold the same way using the same process every time; 100 per cent of the time.

“It is no different with car care. There will always be someone who says they could not get to the customer because they were busy.

“MotorOne LIVE allows a video to be pushed out to the customer immediately after the sale with a very easy followup process from us by phone or email. Alternatively, it gets pushed out to every single customer because there is no consultant in the dealership.

“In some instances it is like a virtual consultant or it is a secondary measure where perhaps the customer did not necessarily pick up on the explanation of the car care side of the sale. They can now get a video takeaway that might reinforce the

value of the product for them.” Mr Sharp said that the key

message for customers is: ‘You have invested in this car, here is a way for you to protect your investment’.

The video will cover a variety of MotorOne products including Hydro Ceramic Exterior Paint Protection, interior protection and window tints as well as vehicle electronics from the wide suite of MotorOne products.

“The real issue is when you have a dealer who has stood down a car care consultant at $50,000 a year plus commissions they have also made a conscious decision to walk away from potentially $50,000 to $60,000 gross a month in car care.

“Now they can show MotorOne LIVE direct to the car buyer at the time of vehicle purchase via a short video outlining options on a variety of products designed to protect their vehicle,” he said.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE© 2020 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. 378288416ENT

The best strategies are built on partnershipsKPMG’s Motor Industry Services Team knows that building sales is just the start of making car dealerships great.

Are you looking for new strategies to improve after sales, network and team development, leadership or succession planning?

We’ll work with you to drive real value for your business.

To find out more, contact the KPMG Motor Industry Services Team:

mis@kpmg.com.au

Joel ShashouaDirector Motor Industry Services KPMG

The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 26EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By JOHN MELLOR

IN THIS sixth edition of Dealer Talks, the podcast series brought to you by Gumtree Cars, in partnership with GoAutoMedia, we explored some options to source quality used cars.

Dealers are finding it increasingly difficult to source used car stock because there has been an increase in demand for everything from late model quality used cars to older used cars still in good nick and especially for those with longer warranties remaining. So the predicted challenge of sourcing

stock to sell is upon us.We talked to Grahame de

Carvalho, head of commercial at Gumtree Cars, to Ben Mills, dealer

principal of City Mazda in Adelaide and co-owner of iAppraise, and to Steve Zanlunghi, director of operations Absolute Results – Asia Pacific Region.

Grahame de Carvalho shared insights that dealers are using Gumtree to source cars from the wide range of vehicles for sale by private sellers on Gumtree and

dealers are also using Gumtree to sell cars to private buyers and that this can yield better values for dealers than putting cars out through

wholesalers.Steve Zanlunghi

talked about how an intelligent analysis of a dealer’s owner database can generate the very trade-ins that dealers keenly

want for their used car operations.We heard that dealers are

organising sales events specifically inviting people to attend who have the trades the dealership would

most like in stock.Ben Mills told us that a relentless

focus on appraising cars translates like clockwork into generating

used car stock with very little need to go outside the dealership to source used cars.

We heard that using powerful appraisal management tools to track appraisal KPIs and to revisit

missed trade-in opportunities can bring in another $45,000 in gross profit a month.

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The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 27EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By NEIL DOWLING

DEALERSHIPS seeking to claim the JobKeeper payment from September 28 this year will be required to demonstrate that they have suffered an ongoing significant decline in turnover using actual GST turnover, rather than projected GST turnover, said the lead Victorian automotive chamber.

In a message to its members, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said JobKeeper payments will alter from September 28 and dealers need to be aware of the changes and how to calculate eligibility.

VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym said that from September, businesses and not-for-profits will be required to reassess their eligibility with reference to their actual GST

turnover in the June and September quarters 2020.

He said they will need to demonstrate that they have met the relevant decline in turnover test in both of those quarters to be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment from September 28, 2020 to January 3, 2021.

“I have received many calls from dealers concerned about eligibility from the post-September 28 period,” he said.

“I would ask any member with concerns with JobKeeper 2.0 with regards to ‘actual significant decline in turnover’ in the June-September quarter to advise the VACC via email.

“It will assist greatly to have evidence-based arguments to present to government.”

The federal government has extended the JobKeeper payment – at a lower rate and with stricter eligibility – until March 2021.

Originally due to run until September 27, 2020, JobKeeper will now continue to be available to eligible businesses and not-for-profits until March 28, 2021.

The current fortnightly payment rate of $1500 for eligible employees, including the self-employed, will continue until September 27, 2020.

The VACC said that from September 28, 2020, JobKeeper payment rates will be determined by whether the eligible employee, in the four weeks of pay periods before March 1, 2020, was working 20 hours or more a week on average.

From September 28, 2020, JobKeeper payment rates for eligible employees meeting this 20-hour or more test will be $1200 per fortnight, reducing to $1000 per fortnight from January 4, 2021.

For other eligible employees (such as those working part-time), JobKeeper payment rates will be $750 per fortnight from September 28, 2020, reducing to $650 per fortnight from January 4, 2021.

Further details for the industry are available from the VACC and from the federal government’s factsheet ‘Extension of the JobKeeper Payment’.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Dealers need to accurately calculate JobKeeper eligibility ahead of September changes

VACC warns on JobKeeper

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The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 28EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By JOHN MELLOR

LEADING vehicle transport service provider, Autocare Services, is revving up its fleet of vehicle transporters in a move to respond to the market shifts that have taken place since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown.

The business, which is the market specialist in moving new vehicles from the docks to car dealerships, is watching trends in the market in which buyers are showing a very strong preference towards used cars.

While the business is a specialist in new cars, it is contacting its dealer clients to remind them that its trucks can back-load and transfer used cars between dealerships or move them to wholesalers and auctions.

Michael Brownlie, Autocare Services’ business development

manager, told GoAutoNews Premium: “We are noting reports that the used car market is running at levels not seen for more than 12 months.

“It appears that people are cashing in more expensive cars and buying older cars with a lot of warranty left in them and there are buyers who have been laid off, seeking to replace their company car with a low-priced used car,” Mr Brownlie said.

“There also appears to be a trend for some families to get a second car and for some people to get a car for the first time because they want to avoid public transport for the time being.”

Mr Brownlie said this activity had seen a big lift in vehicle wholesaling with dealers’ attendance at online auctions increasing by 50 per cent in May compared with April 2020.

There had also been record levels of activity on automotive classified websites.

He said that Autocare Services has for some time been moving to build its competitive advantage of being in dealerships delivering new cars on a regular basis and that it was emphasising that it was then able to move dealers’ used cars between dealership locations, wholesalers and auctions.

The business said that it has

been watching the “significant percentage of vehicles” that are swapped between dealers and has been expanding its delivery services in direct response to cater for this market demand.

Autocare Services has been engaging with dealers to explain how its extensive transport footprint across Australia can be used, not just by the OEMs to deliver cars to dealers, but how its truck fleet can perform dealer swaps in a timely

and cost-effective manner.When deliveries of new cars are

completed, the business has capacity across metro, provincial and rural areas across Australia to pick up dealers’ swapped cars and deliver them to where they are needed.

Mr Brownlie said: “The perception with dealers has been that we only concentrate on new vehicle deliveries from the OEMs.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

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The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 30EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By NEIL DOWLING

COVID-19 has seen an unexpected boost to the price of salvage vehicles, with the pandemic directly responsible for prices jumping as much as 43 per cent.

Auction house Manheim’s latest salvage report said prices on motor vehicles, motorcycles and truck and machinery salvage are “reaching modern day highs”.

“Whilst average sale prices vary from month to month, all segments have seen increases from January 2020 to June 2020 of between five per cent and 43 per cent as multiple market factors combine to drive demand for salvage assets,” the report said.

It said multiple factors combined during 2020 to significantly impact returns on salvage assets, led by the effects of the pandemic.

“The closure of parts factories in north Asia at the start of 2020 has significantly impacted supply chains for OEM and parallel parts, increasing the desirability for locally harvested parts,” Manheim’s report said.

“Sourcing recycled parts locally has significant benefits for the community both financially and environmentally and supply chain challenges have had a positive impact on their appeal.

“In addition to this, stand-down days for some employees or reduced activity within businesses combined with JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments have driven demand locally in particular for mechanical parts such as engines, transmissions and drivetrain components.”

Manheim said that many

businesses with mechanical workshops have used the increased available time to facilitate repairs on company and fleet vehicles.

In addition, people who have been forced to take stand-down days have used increased government payments and free time to undertake a ‘backyard fix’ on the family car or project car.

“Much like the increase seen in home renovation and garden supplies, many people have

retained an income stream with very little opportunity to spend with restrictions on cafes, restaurants, cinemas and travel,” it said.

“Further impacting the price of vehicle salvage is the significant drop in mobility nationally, particularly during April and May due to lockdown restrictions.

“This decrease resulted in fewer vehicle accidents, claims and total loss salvage vehicles coming on to the market, reducing supply.

“This supply challenge was somewhat offset by additional hail-affected vehicles flowing from the January 2020 Canberra hailstorm.”

The report said that in the half year to June 30, 2020, the average sale prices for premium salvage was up 23 per cent while the mid-range salvage vehicles were up 43 per cent. Low-value salvage was up a modest five per cent.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Pandemic offers more time for vehicle repair, pushing up prices of parts by 43 per cent

Sales boom for salvage vehicles

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PAGE 31EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By NEIL DOWLING

CAR companies are putting on a new face as the digital world tightens its grip around how consumers view a brand.

Toyota is the latest car-maker to launch a ‘flat’ logo that eschews the three-dimensional, shadow-toned symbol used previously. The ‘Toyota’ name has also been removed.

The company said the latest design stands for the transition to a mobility company and describes it as a new design language for “a mobility-first digital age which operates fluently across all digital and physical touchpoints”.

“The new logo will be applied across all communication touchpoints, while the current logo will continue to be used for

Toyota vehicles,” Toyota said in a statement.

“The current retailer signage will also remain in place and will be reviewed in the Toyota 2025 Network Strategy.”

Toyota said that its new visual identity had been driven by simplification and has been shaped by four key principles: forward-thinking, mobile-ready, more premium feel and consistency across all business units and sub-brands.

The new logo was designed by international consultancy The&Partnership. Its head of design Dan Beckett said that the previous design, unchanged since 2009, was looking “tired” and needed to be more “premium”, “forward-facing” and better adapted to mobile platforms.

The flat logo will be used in

Europe before being rolled out to other markets, with the first showing at the European launch of the latest Yaris hatchback.

Toyota’s logo change comes after Nissan, Volkswagen and BMW also made changes.

For Toyota, it comes along with some name changes to business arms. In Europe, Toyota Insurance Management is now renamed Toyota Insurance Services as its business expands with the growth

of connected services and new mobility products.

In used cars, Toyota Plus becomes Toyota Approved Used.

Late in 2019 in the UK, Toyota bought the fleet business of Inchcape. It then rebranded Inchcape Fleet Solutions as the Kinto personal mobility brand, as it looks to “transition from being a car manufacturer to a mobility company”.

BMW’s new logo is being rolled out globally from March 2020

through to the end of May 2021. It will be used for all online and offline communications, as well as international trade fairs and events.

BMW said it will not completely replace the existing logo which will instead co-exist alongside the original.

In a statement, it said the new logo “is a new media branding and will be used in addition to the existing logo”.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Digital world drives simplified Toyota logo, follows similar moves by VW, Nissan and BMW

Toyota joins logo spree

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The business pages of GoAutoNews

PAGE 32EDITION 1032 - JUL 29, 2020

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By NEIL DOWLING

ACCIDENT replacement vehicle business Right2Drive has been sold for $26.5 million to Melbourne-based financier Growth Factor Group after its parent, Eclipx Group Ltd, put the loan-car firm on the market last August.

Eclipx, which bought Right2Drive in 2016 for $67 million and last year wrote down its value to $28 million, embarked on its “simplification plan” in the middle of 2019.

This plan focused Eclipx on its core fleet and lease businesses. In May, Eclipx sold its GraysOnline and used-car online buying and selling service AreYouSelling for a combined $60 million. It bought GraysOnline in 2017 for $179 million.

Eclipx will continue its commercial relationship with

Right2Drive including a right to supply new vehicle leases for three years, the company said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“All existing leases between Eclipx and Right2Drive will also remain on foot,” it said.

Eclipx CEO Julian Russell said the sale completes the company’s non-core divestment program.

“We can now solely focus our attention on further developing our core fleet and novated business,” he said in the ASX statement.

Right2Drive specialises in loaning cars to people who were involved in a not-at-fault accident and while awaiting repairs to their damaged vehicle or a write-off payment.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Eclipx returns to its fleet and lease business core after disposing of car rental arm

Right2Drive sold for $26.5m

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

You’re the most important person in the showroomKPMG’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.auDavid BrownSenior Manager Motor Industry Services KPMG