september online edition

motortrader

motor trader queensland | vol. 82 | issue 8 | sept 2011

National Skills Week

Gallantry Remembered

Making money, keeping money

Solar Challenge in October

Top Gear on Facebook

Personal Property Securities Act

Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland

Head Office1000 Wynnum Road, Cannon Hill, Qld 4170P.O. Box 560, Morningside, Qld 4170Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488Toll Free: 1800 177 951Email: [email protected]: www.mtaq.com.au

Managing EditorKellie Dewar

Editor in ChiefMichael Taylor

Art DirectorPeter Richardson

Advertising EnquiriesJillian AnfieldMobile: 0414 473 944Facsimile: 07 3844 4488Email: [email protected]

EditorialEditorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information telephone the Editor 07 3237 8777

Subscription Rates (including GST)Australia: $72.60 annuallyOverseas: $110 annually

Motor Trader Publishing PolicyMotor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.

MTA Queensland ABN: 74 028 933 848

Corporate Partners

Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland

Head Office1000 Wynnum Road, Cannon Hill, Qld 4170P.O. Box 560, Morningside, Qld 4170Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488Toll Free: 1800 177 951Email: [email protected]: www.mtaq.com.au

Managing EditorKellie Dewar

Editor in ChiefMichael Taylor

Art DirectorPeter Richardson

Advertising EnquiriesJeff DunlopMobile: 0422 075 007Facsimile: 07 3844 4488Email: [email protected]

EditorialEditorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information telephone the Editor 07 3237 8777

Subscription Rates (including GST)Australia: $72.60 annuallyOverseas: $110 annually

Motor Trader Publishing PolicyMotor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.

MTA Queensland ABN: 74 028 933 848

Corporate Partners

contents2. From the editor

Policy/Viewpoint4. Secure as your “security interest”

- What motor traders should know

Industrial Relations7. Item 1. Fair Work legislation requires

businesses to hold copies of applicable award/s.

Item 2. Due Diligence in Workplace Health and Safety

Features8. Online advertising on the up and up18. Making money and keeping some 30. Waste avoidance – a strong contributor to any business’s cost

reduction program

Industry Update10. Five star club expands Automobile industry driven by necessity11. Solar challenge set for October What do we worship the most? 12. Motorcycle industry stalwart calls it

a day X-Trail for The Royal Flying Doctor

Service 13. View Top Gear on Facebook Mitsubishi Launches Facebook App 14. Ford Ranger challenge15. Scrap tyres for steel making Safety sales increase16. Hydrogen car technology

hits fast lane 17. Factors influencing EV purchases

Sport20. Attard well positioned in ASBK standings21. Showtime: Performance Racing Industry

MIT news22. Skilling our future

Members24. Gallantry in action remembered

Health26. Healthy lifestyle eating

Automobile news31. Compass coming by year’s end The new Jetta Kia concept32. In vogue The Audi A8 Hybrid Back to black

1motor trader queensland

Business profitability and healthy cash flow, p. 18

Facebook new home for Top Gear, p. 13

Punishing challenges for Ford Rangers, p. 14

MIT's new workshop will include 28 bays, split between Mechanical and Paint & Panel.

2 motor trader queensland

from the editor Michael Taylor, Editor

Queensland’s Automotive Centre of Excellence

Free call 1800 177 951

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Automotive Training Specialists

Queensland’s Peak Automotive Industry Body

Specialising in:

• Light Vehicle Mechanical Technicians

• Motorcycle Mechanical Technicians

• Automotive Electrical Technicians

• Parts Interpreting

• Management Courses

• Specialist Automotive Technicians

One Stop Industry Support for:

• Government and Media Representations

• Industrial Relations Advice

• Technical Information

• Professional Business Conduct within a

Strict Code of Ethics

• Consumer Assurance

• Legal Advice

• Industry-specific Publications

and Stationery

The Staff at Cannon Hill recently visited our new premises at Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains.

What a building! Our CFO Kathy Winkcup led us on a tour of the new facility that will far outshine anything in which our Association has ever been housed. We are all looking forward to getting settled in to the premises before the New Year.

In last month’s edition of Motor Trader, our Principal Policy Director, Richard Payne, reminded us about the forthcoming Personal Properties Securities Register. In this edition, Brian Smith of Bennett & Philp Lawyers gives us a further in depth look at this and how it specifically relates to the motor industry, starting on page 4. The information is valuable.

Do you recycle, re-use or reduce – when it comes to waste? Have a read on page 30 how John Madill Toyota in Gympie participated in the first Gympie Region ClimateSmart Business Cluster. The article, supplied by the Queensland Government Department of Energy & Resource Management, is also supported by their

advertisement just opposite this page.

Australian online advertising is on track to surpass $3 billion by 2012 (page 8), and our industry ranks high as one that is utilising this medium more than ever. With over 80% of households having personal computers, nearly everyone is ‘googling’ before they go out and shop. If you are in business, you may want to think about ways that you can capture some of these millions of people.

Sue Hirst of CFO On-Call (page 18) takes us back to basics with how we are looking after cash flow in our businesses. Yes, we are making money (hopefully!) but

are we keeping any?

Our Association’s immediate past president, Greg Klease, recently organised through Rod Pether the use of a free car for Harry Smith, the Australian War Hero who led his small group of men in the battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War – page 24. Harry and his company of just over 100 men fought well over 2,000 enemy soldiers in a disciplined, strategic battle that saved an Australian Army Base from destruction. War is ugly, but the beautiful hearts that have fought for our freedoms of today will never, ever be forgotten and we should continue to honour them and their families forever.

Recycling in Queensland

#295

58

Waste is everybody’s businessWhen waste goes to landfill, all the useful resources within it get buried too.

Waste costs businesses money, and there are things every enterprise can do about that. Many companies, including those in the motor industry, are working hard to minimise waste and recycle resources. However, Queensland still produces an unsustainable amount of industry-generated waste, with a large proportion of recoverable resources not being recycled.

The Queensland Government’s waste reforms set new directions for waste and resource recovery, including support programs to help businesses, and a levy on landfill operators for industrial waste sent to them for disposal.

Materials that are recovered, reused or recycled (that is, not disposed of to landfill) do not attract the levy. The more material a business can divert to recycling or resource recovery, the less possible impact the levy will have on the business. Looking closely at what you are throwing away can also lead to improved business processes, and reduced input costs, resulting in overall bottom-line savings.

Can we help?Programs funded by the levy will aim to:

• support small and medium enterprises to avoid producing waste, or cut the cost of it, through the reThink Business Waste program

• develop new products and expand markets for recovered materials

• offer grants to support the introduction of new resource recovery options

• support research and development for processes and innovative solutions that boost resource recovery.

To make it easier to for businesses to find local solutions, the government has partnered with the Business Recycling website <www.businessrecycling.com.au>. Listings are based on waste material types, so any Queensland motor trade business can identify and find the services it needs, or register to receive particular materials it is looking for.

Get started todayVisit <www.derm.qld.gov.au/waste> for the full story on the waste reforms, and to register for updates on business support programs.

Visit <www.businessrecycling.com.au> for local recyclers and waste receivers.

Recycling in Queensland


policy/viewpoint Richard Payne, Principal Policy Director

In last month’s Motor Trader Magazine we informed members about the forthcoming Personal

Properties Securites Register and its application pertaining to vehicle information, which will be accessible through a national database from November, 2011. In this issue of Motor Trader we are pleased to provide advice from Bennett & Philp Lawyers regarding security interests of vehicles registered through the PPS Register. This opportunity is taken to thank Bennett & Philp for the advice they have provided.

As further information is confirmed from the Federal Attorney-General's

Department, including implications relating to “hired vehicles”, which will be of particular interest to Rental Vehicle Industry Division members, we will advise members accordingly.

Richard Payne

Secure as your “security interest” - What motor traders should know

The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (“the PPSA”) will affect the motor industry as

it replaces the Vehicles

Securities Register with a new Personal Properties Security Register (“the PPS Register”), which means new rules and regulations relating to security interests in motor vehicle dealings.

Before one can comprehend the PPSA provisions, relating to the motor trade industry, one needs to understand the general function of the PPSA and also be aware of the terminology used in the PPSA.

The aim of the PPSA is to provide a nationwide approach for dealing with security interests in personal property. The PPSA is due to commence on 31 October 2011 but industries are

being urged to consider the implications for their trades now, as the commencement of the PPSA will mean changes in business procedures and formalities.

A security interest, under the PPSA, is an interest in relation to personal property. A security interest arises from a security agreement which is usually a transaction that secures payment for an obligation. This may be a written document or an oral agreement or evidenced by some other act. However, to be enforceable against third parties, the security agreement must be evidenced by writing.

There are a number of personal property security interests which may be formed or entered into in a variety of ways. However, generally, in a commercial context in which motor traders or dealers operate, such security interests will arise pursuant to written agreements that provide for a charge over personal property, for example a motor vehicle. The interest in a motor vehicle taken as security for a loan or other obligation is the security interest which is registrable under the PPSA.

The PPSA sets out the requirements for security interests to be effective. This part of the PPSA is somewhat complicated and lengthy. Enforceability of the security interest, and the level of protection offered by the PPSA, is dependent on three stages of the security interest:

a. Attachment – the security interest is enforceable against the grantor of the security interest when the security interest has attached to the collateral

1 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 111 0 0 0 0 011 11

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(i.e. the property which is the subject of the security interest). Attachment does not by itself make the security interest enforceable against third parties other than the grantor.

b. Enforceability against third parties – For a security interest to become enforceable against third parties the security interest must have attached to the collateral and there exists a signed, written security agreement.

c. Perfection – Usually this is obtained by registering the security interest and perfection must be achieved to maintain priority in respect of other security interests.

A “motor vehicle” is personal

property and is defined by the Personal Property Securities Regulations 2010 (“the Regulations”) as follows:

• Built to be propelled on land by a motor

• Capable of a speed of at least 10km/h

• Does not run on rails

• Has a vehicle identification number (“VIN”), chassis number or manufacturer’s number

The term “motor vehicle” is not limited only to vehicles registered for road use and includes trailers and other equipment that can be towed behind a motor vehicle at a speed of at least 10 km/h.

Often motor vehicles are bailed to (put in possession

of) a motor dealer by a financier who owns the motor vehicles. A bailment does not transfer ownership rights and the financier has the right to take possession in accordance with the terms of the bailment. Often, before a motor dealer sells a motor vehicle to a buyer, the motor vehicle is sold by a financier to the motor dealer.

Under the PPSA the definition of a security interest includes bailment type arrangements such as a consignment arrangement and a lease of goods. The term used by the PPSA to describe a lease or bailment of goods is a PPS lease. As motor vehicles can be described by VIN (for the purposes of registering a security interest on the PPS Register) a PPS lease is a

bailment arrangement for an indefinite term of 90 days or more.

Section 45 of the PPSA has two particular rules for taking motor vehicles free of a security interest:

1. What does the PPS register show?

A buyer or lessee who buys a motor vehicle from a motor trader (i.e. a buyer obtaining their interest from a motor trader who is the grantor of the security interest) can take it free of a financier’s security interest if the motor trader gives the motor vehicle new value, it has a serial number and a search of the PPS Register for the serial number that day (or the previous day) did not disclose any registration of a security interest. There are exceptions to this rule but for the generality of this article these are not detailed further here.

Under the PPSA the term “new value” means value other than value provided to reduce or discharge an earlier debt or liability owed to the person providing the value.

2. Is the motor trader a prescribed person?

A buyer or lessee who buys a motor vehicle from a motor trader for new value can take it free of a security interest if the motor trader is a person prescribed by the Regulations. This means that if a motor trader is covered by a motor trader licence they will be a prescribed person. The purpose of this is to allow a person to buy or lease a motor vehicle from a licensed motor trader without the need to search the PPS Register before they buy. In Queensland this will apply to licensing


schemes for motor vehicle dealers or traders of second hand vehicles rather than motor traders generally.

An example given by the Personal Property Securities Bill 2009 Explanatory Memorandum is as follows:

A motor dealer has cars in stock financed under a floor plan arrangement with a bailment company. Under the floor arrangement the bailment company purchases the motor vehicles from the manufacturer and the bailment company allows the motor dealer to retain the motor vehicles on the motor dealer’s premises for sale. The bailment company registers its security interest in each motor vehicle on the PPS Register. A buyer wants to purchase a motor vehicle from the motor dealer with

policy/viewpoint finance from a bank. Neither the buyer nor the bank need to search the PPS Register as the motor dealer is a prescribed person under the PPSA. The buyer acquires his interest in the motor vehicle free of the bailment company’s security interest.

Even if a motor trader is not a person prescribed by the Regulations, purchasers of motor vehicles from motor traders are still protected by s46 of the PPSA which provides that in the ordinary course of business motor vehicles can be taken free of security interest.

It is important to understand that the rules relating to buying a motor vehicle free of security interests will not apply if a motor vehicle is held as inventory or if the buyer has knowledge that the motor trader has breached the security agreement.

Another important issue under the PPSA, in relation to motor vehicles, concerns serial numbers and registration using serial numbers. Clause 2.2(3)(c) of Schedule 1 of the Regulations provides that a motor vehicle with a VIN must be described for the purposes of registration on the PPS Register by its VIN and not its chassis number. If a motor vehicle does not have a VIN but has a chassis number, then the chassis number must be used. If a motor vehicle does not have a VIN or a chassis number, then the manufacturer’s number must be used. The aim is to make searching the PPS Register for motor vehicles a simple task when the VIN is known.

Bennett & Philp Lawyers are currently advising many clients on the implications of the PPSA for their businesses especially in relation to the terms of

written agreements upon which they seek to rely. The impact of the PPSA in October 2011 is going to affect a large number of businesses and trades. If you would like advice on the PPSA with regard to your business please contact us at Bennett & Philp Lawyers.

This article provides a general overview of the PPSA and the implications for motor traders. Please note this article is not intended to provide, nor does it constitute legal advice. You should seek legal advice before acting on or using the content of this article. Should you require legal advice on matters raised in this article please contact Bennett & Philp Lawyers on 07 3001 2999.

Brian Smith,

Commercial Director,

Bennett & Philp Lawyers


industrial relations Ted Kowalski, Industrial Relations Manager

Item 1. Fair Work legislation requires businesses to hold copies of applicable award/s.Members are reminded that under the Fair Work Act they are required to hold, on their premises, copies of any awards that apply to their employees as well as a copy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

For most motor trades businesses that will involve the Vehicle Manufacturing Repair Services and Retail Award, the Clerks Private Sector Award and the NES.

Electronic versions of the awards are acceptable as long as an employee can easily access the award on request. Members can download copies of these awards and the NES from our MTAQ web site or from the web site of Fair Work Australia at www.fwa.gov.au under “Awards and Award Modernisation.”

The NES can be accessed via the Fair Work Ombudsman’s web site at www.fairwork.gov.au under the heading “Employment”.

Those members who prefer a printed copy of the documents can purchase them from MTAQ as shown below:

Vehicle Manufacturing Repair Services and Retail Award and NES: 150 pages. Price $27.50 which includes GST and postage.

Clerks Private Sector Award: 50 pages. Price $17.50, which includes GST and postage.

Please contact Sharnee or Katie on 07 3237 8777 to order your copies.

Item 2. Due Diligence in Workplace Health and SafetyThe new workplace health and safety legislation which is to commence on 1st January 2012 imposes a duty on officers of corporations to exercise due diligence to ensure that the company is meeting its health and safety obligations.

To demonstrate due diligence officers will have to show that they have taken reasonable steps to:• Acquire and update their

knowledge of health and safety matters

• Understand the operations being carried out by the persons conducting the business in which they are employed, and the hazards and risks associated with the operations

• Ensure that the person conducting the business has, and uses, appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks arising from the work being done

• Ensure that the person conducting the business has appropriate processes in place to receive and respond promptly to information regarding incidents, hazards and risks

• Ensure that the person conducting the business has, and uses, processes to comply with duties or obligations of the health and safety legislation.

Demonstrating due diligenceShown below are suggestions on how to meet the criteria listed above.

Acquiring knowledge of health and safety issues

This can be met by:

• Acquiring up to date knowledge of the Workplace Health and Safety Bill, regulations and codes of practice (Queensland legislation can be found on the WHSQ website at http://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/workplace and model WHS legislation can be found on the Safe Work Australia website http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au)

• Investigating current industry issues through conferences, seminars, information and awareness sessions, industry groups, newsletters etc.

• Acquiring up to date knowledge of workplace health and safety management principles and practices

• Ensuring that workplace health and safety matters are considered at each corporation board meeting.

Understanding operations and associated hazards and risks

This can be met by:• Developing a plan of the

operation that identifies hazards in core activities

• Ensuring that information is readily available to other officers and workers about procedures to ensure the safety of specific operations that pose health and safety risks in the workplace

Continuously improving the safety management system

Ensuring that appropriate resources and processes are used to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety

This can be met by:• Establishing/maintaining

safe methods of work• Implementing a safety

management system• Recruiting personnel,

including safety personnel,

with appropriate skills• Ensuring staffing levels

are adequate for safety in operations

• Giving safety personnel access to decision makers for urgent issues

• Maintaining/upgrading infrastructure

Implementing processes for receiving and responding to information about incidents, hazards and risks

This can be met by:• Employing a risk

management process• Having efficient, timely

reporting systems• Empowering workers to

cease unsafe work and request better resources

• Establishing processes for considering/responding to information about incidents, hazards and risks in a timely fashion

• Measuring against positive performance indicators to identify deficiencies (for example, percentage of issues actioned within an agreed timeframe)

Establishing and maintaining compliance processes

This can be met by:• Undertaking a legal

compliance audit of policies, procedures and practices

• Testing policies, procedures and practices to verify compliance with safety management planning

Accessing up-to-date safety information

As part of due diligence requirements, officers need up to date knowledge about safety issues. They must also ensure that their employer and workers have ready access to information that will help then to avoid risks and hazards in the workplace.


Online advertising expenditure data, which was released in mid August by

IAB Australia in its Online Advertising Expenditure Report (OAER) compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), showed online expenditure for the second quarter of 2011 totalled $655 million – an increase of 19 percent year on year.

The full year results were powered by search and directories and online classifieds which both recorded 23 percent growth year on year to reach $1264m and $579m respectively for FY11. The general display market grew 12 percent reaching $612m for FY11.

Search and directories for the full year accounted for

53 percent year on year to reach almost $40m annually. Further growth is expected in this sector, with current expenditure representing just 6.5 percent of online display advertising in comparison to the 14 percent market share it holds in the US.

Maria Martin, PricewaterhouseCoopers partner, said that the growth in video advertising is exciting as it offers a better experience for the digitally empowered

online advertisingThe Australian online advertising

market is on track to surpass $3b

in 2012, with the online advertising

expenditure for the 2011 financial

year growing 20 percent year-on-

year to reach $2.455b.

preceding year,” he explained.

“These results substantially lag the UK where in the same period the consumer packaged goods sector claimed 13 percent of all display advertising spend and the total spend by the FMCG sector grew 30 percent year on year.

“FMCG advertisers are missing exceptional opportunities to increase their TV reach and frequency through the addition of online video advertising, and also more efficiently allocate their print advertising expenditure across print and online.

“Government expenditure in online advertising also continues to disappoint. With increasingly hard to reach demographics and the many communications challenges faced by the Federal and State Governments, there needs to be an increased investment in interactive advertising,” added Mr Fisher.

Video advertising continued its upward trajectory, growing

more efficiently spend their advertising budgets online, especially in the lead up to Christmas,” he added.

Mr Fisher also noted that FMCG online advertising is very disappointing when compared to international results.

“FMCG online advertising for the financial year was less than $34m and a mere 5.5 percent of display advertising, a drop of 0.5 percent on the

51.5 percent of overall online advertising expenditure, with classified accounting for 23.6 percent and display advertising recording 24.9 percent. According to Paul Fisher, one of the standout areas for growth was the retail sector.

“Despite, or perhaps because of the many reported challenges facing the industry, the retail sector has shown strong growth in online advertising in the past year,” he said.

“Surprisingly though retail sits at just six percent of all display advertising.

“Online advertising offers retailers a highly measurable return on investment and so we believe there is enormous opportunity for the industry to


consumer and improved customer engagement for the advertiser.

“Continued increases in video advertising will also leverage the expected growth in consumer connectivity, with the 2011 PwC Entertainment

and Media forecast predicting by 2015 at least 95 percent broadband penetration and over 80 percent mobile penetration,” Ms Martin said.

The finance, computers/communication and automotive industry sectors all

dominated the general display advertising category, together accounting for 41.4 percent of the total general advertising expenditure. The automotive category was particularly strong over the past 12 months, comprising 11.57 percent of the General Display

online advertising

spending for the year.

Real Estate was the leading Category for Classifieds advertising expenditure in the 12 months ended 30 June 2011 followed by Recruitment then Automotive. This is the same as the prior year.

on the up and up“Online advertising offers retailers a highly measurable return on investment and so we believe there is enormous opportunity for the industry to more efficiently spend their advertising budgets online,


industry updateFive star club expands

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) recently announced

5-star safety ratings for five cars on the Australian market: Toyota Rukus, Hyundai Accent, Peugeot 508, Lexus CTH200h and the Volvo V60.

ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan Mcintosh, said the results continued the move towards 5-star safety as the norm for Australian manufacturers, importers and motorists, and noted ANCAP was releasing more vehicle ratings to inform new car buyers of the vehicle’s safety performance.

“ANCAP is pleased to see this bonanza of 5-star ratings in the interests of Australian motorists and we will continue to provide as many ratings as possible for consumers to assist their purchase,” Mr Mcintosh said.

“The Accent continues Hyundai’s safety focus - it tested well and includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and seat belt reminders for all seats as standard across the range.

“The Rukus achieved a five-star rating , bringing yet another Toyota product into the top rated 5-star safety club.

“The Volvo V60 wagon, Peugeot 508 medium car and Lexus CT200h petrol-hybrid model all were assessed a 5-star rating based on our assessment of results

star ratings for five morecars on the Australian

market

5from EuroNCAP crash tests, which are in line with ANCAP’s testing protocols.”

ANCAP also noted that from October last year the Toyota Corolla now has seven airbags and Electronic Stability Control as standard, meaning that all Corolla variants now have a 5star ANCAP rating, in line with the previous model.

For a full list of ANCAP ‘s vehicle safety ratings and other vehicle safety information, go to www.ancap.com.au

Automobile industry driven by necessity

The head of Australia’s biggest car dealership network says the automotive sector

is being shielded from the general downturn in

consumer sentiment and the industry

outlook remains positive as Japanese manufacturers

return to normal

production levels after the tsunami in

March.

Automotive Holdings Group managing director Bronte Howson was speaking after

the Perth-based group on August 26th unveiled a 5 per cent fall in operating net profit to $52.4 million for the year to June 30, with revenue up 3 per cent to $3.34 billion.

However, statutory net profit was $31.2m after AHG booked writedowns of $19.9m related to its underperforming automotive and logistics operations in Queensland.

Mr Howson said the automotive sector was proving to be resilient, with cars deemed a “necessity” by families, even at a time when consumers were reluctant to spend.

AHG’s automotive division achieved a 2.3 per cent


This year the World Solar Challenge will focus on engaging and inspiring some of Australia’s brightest young minds who hold the key to making sustainable green technology a mainstream possibility.”

lift in revenue to $2.9bn in 2010-11, with record sales in Western Australia, NSW and New Zealand.

But Queensland’s underperformance, caused in part by the impact of the state’s floods this year, stood out.

Mr Howson said the new car market had performed consistently well in the past few years, with annual sales of around one million. The used-car market had also held up well.

The industry was feeling the benefits of low unemployment, steady interest rates and the strong Australian dollar.

“I think the key indicator is unemployment hovering around 5 per cent, and in Western Australia it’s only 4 per cent,” he said.

“When you have low unemployment we seem to do fairly well as far as the motor vehicle market goes. So the automotive sector is in good shape.”

Mr Howson said the tsunami in Japan in March affected AHG’s performance in May and June due to depleted stock levels.

“It really impacted the last two months of the year, but we have started this year strongly,” he said.

“The impact is subsiding and we expect to be back to normal pre-tsunami supply by October.”

He said he was pleased by AHG’s results given the challenging market conditions, including the Queensland floods and the end of the federal government’s

stimulus package in June last year.

“Queensland has been a struggle but we are seeing signs of that turning around,” he said. “We haven’t seen the full impact of the recovery from the floods.”

AHG’s logistics business also had a record year with revenue up 7.8 per cent to $412m.

The division’s Rand business opened two cold storage and transport facilities in Melbourne and Brisbane during the year.

AHG completed its acquisitions of Coventry’s automotive parts business in WA and Harris Refrigerated Transport in South Australia in July. Mr Howson said the group was on the lookout for further acquisitions after an $83m capital raising in May. He said the outlook for 2011-12 was strong.

Solar challenge set for October

The stage is set for this year’s World Solar Challenge where 42 teams will drive

their high-tech cars 3,000 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide - powered only by the sun.

“This year the World Solar

Challenge will focus on engaging and inspiring some of Australia’s brightest young minds who hold the key to making sustainable green technology a mainstream possibility,” said CEO of the South Australian Motor Sports Board, Mark Warren.

Twenty-one countries will be represented in the race and Australia will be fielding three teams.

The Aurora team will be racing again this year and has been a contestant in every World Solar Challenge; boasting an impressive record of of 1 win, 4 seconds, 1 third, 1 fifth and 1 sixth. The current Aurora car is powered by a CSIRO/Marand in-wheel electric motor, Sunpower silicon solar cells and Saehan Enertech lithium-polymer batteries.

UNSW Solar team’s Sunswift Ivy Mk2 will be rolling on a set of new lightweight carbon

fibre wheels for the race. Ivy was originally built in 2009, the 3rd vehicle that Sunswift had ever designed and built from scratch. Ivy features Sunpower A300 silicon solar cells, CSIRO Brushless DC in-wheel motor technology and Panasonic NCR18650A lithium ion batteries.

TAFE South Australia will be competing with its new car, the Solar Spirit.

During the event, satellite tracking will be in place for each vehicle and interested parties will be able to follow the progress of each team.

The World Solar Challenge has been held since 1987. Originally occurring every three years, the race is now run every 2 years.

The last race in 2009 was won by Japan’s Tokai University’s, which achieved an average speed 100.54 km/h. The last time an Australian team won the event was in 1999 when the Aurora team averaged a speed of 72.96 km/h.

The race commences on Sunday, October 16.

What do we worship the most?

A study conducted by ICM Research for Kwik-Fit UK shows that 6.2 million, or 19 per

cent of British motorists, religiously clean and

check their vehicle at least

once a week.


This compares with 4.2 million Britons who, according to a Tearfund research report from 2007, attend church with such regularity.

On a monthly basis the gap grows even wider; the ICM survey of 2,000 UK adults indicates almost three times as many people, or 21.5 million, attend to their vehicular ahead of their spiritual needs. And it may or may not be coincidence that the most popular time to attend to car care chores is between 10am and 11am on Sunday – a direct clash with many church services.

Collectively, UK motorists spend over five million hours a week looking after their vehicles, an average of 26 minutes each. Men, on this occasion, take almost ten minutes longer to get the job done, requiring 30 minutes rather than a female (21 minutes) to complete washing, waxing and vacuuming activities as well as checking oil, water, tyre pressure and screen wash levels. Regionally, Londoners devote the most time – 33 minutes on average – while motorists in Wales are the least generous at 22 minutes.

Motorcycle industry stalwart calls it a day

After more than 38 years in the motorcycle industry, John Oliver, or J.O. to many, has

decided to devote more time to his many interests outside of the motorcycle industry.

John and his wife Ann started their first motorcycle dealership in

industry update

1974 at Eight Mile Plains, before opening Moorooka Yamaha in 1978 at Ipswich Rd, Moorooka, where it still operates today. Under John’s management and leadership, Moorooka Yamaha hit Number 1 Yamaha dealer in Queensland in 1981 and remains consistently in the Top 10.

Over the ensuing years John and his business partner David Ahmet began building what is known today as TeamMoto Motorcycles - an organisation that has grown from the sole dealership at Moorooka and has culminated in 14 dealerships throughout QLD and NSW. TeamMoto is the largest motorcycle retail group in Australia today.

An industry icon, John has been heavily involved in supporting and encouraging the growth of education and

training within the motorcycle industry, having served the MTAQ as a board member and past chairman of the motorcycle division. A keen trail rider, John began The Adventure Club with the aim of teaching children how to enjoy motorcycling in a safe environment and provide families the opportunity to enjoy riding together.

Addressing the issue of trail riding locations in SEQ, John was a key force in the development of the Where to Ride? program with the aim to negotiate and list places where trail riders could legally and safely get dirty on their bike in SEQ.

Over the years John has remained a keen motorcyclist, winning his class at the Masters Games in NT, and lists riding from Brisbane to Cape York with 14 Japanese tourists and from Melbourne to Ayers Rock on a Gold Wing as

some of the highlights.

Throughout his successful career, John has always maintained his compassion and empathy towards his staff and shared their passion for motorcycling. It’s a certainty that each Christmas John would be seen in the dealerships shaking hands, saying ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘thank you’.

An ever-constant presence throughout these years was his wife and business partner, Ann. To people in the industry that know Ann, words such as ‘patient’, ‘supportive’, ‘intuitive’ and ‘invaluable’ come to mind. From doing the books at the dealerships for many years, to providing hot chocolate to the Australian Enduro team in snowy conditions in the Czech Republic, Ann has been there every step of the way to support John.

Nissan Australia has donated the use of a Nissan X-Trail to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victoria). Established in 1934, the RFDS Victorian Division delivers both 24-hour emergency services and essential care to remote South Australian communities. Its profile in Australian rural towns complements Nissan’s far-reaching involvement in the Australian bush by way of its very capable suite of off road vehicles including Patrol, Pathfinder and X-Trail. Last year the RFDS provided more than 275,000 patient contacts and performed 36,800 aero-medical evacuations. With more than 1,000 staff and 56 aircraft nationwide, the RFDS has become one of the most recognizable brands in outback Australia and around the rest of the world.

X-Trail for The Royal Flying Doctor Service


John will still have his hands full going forward pursuing his many and varied interests, whether it be cruising on his boat along the Queensland Coast, making a road in his bulldozer at the beloved farm or just as likely to be passing you at the next trail ride! We wish John and Ann all the best in the years ahead.

View Top Gear on Facebook

Top Gear fans can now access their favourite specials via Facebook using an exclusively

developed VOD (video on demand) app from BBC Worldwide with three of the show’s most iconic episodes now becoming available to rent using Facebook credits.

Fans visiting the BBC motoring entertainment

show’s official Top Gear fan page can

access a series of custom-made apps that will also be launched to run alongside their favourite episodes where they can test their series’ knowledge and answer trivia.

Launched with the Polar Special in August, the specials have been staggered for users in Europe, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Once rented, episodes will be available to view for 48 hours. Facebook credits provide a familiar and consistent payment experience, and a trusted space to store payment information. Credits can be purchased within an app, or through the payments tab within the users account

settings.

BBC Worldwide runs both

the Top Gear Facebook fan

page, which has over 8.8 million fans and The Stig fan page that has over 5 million fans. It is the 25th largest TV show on Facebook, and the biggest British TV show on Facebook.

Adam Waddell, Managing Director of Top Gear said that Top Gear has amassed a huge following on Facebook with almost 14 million friends following the brand itself and The Stig.

“We’re always looking at ways of adding value for

the core fans of the show so it’s entirely

appropriate that we should be one of the first TV shows to make its premium content available via Facebook,” said Waddell.www.facebook.com/

topgear

Mitsubishi Launches

Facebook App

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) announced the launch of My

Mitsubishi, a social media application that for the first time in Australia, allows customers to

book a service through the company’s popular Facebook page.

Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management, Paul Unerkov, said that My Mitsubishi as a natural extension of the company’s constantly evolving social media strategy.

“It as an invaluable tool for our customers to use to interact with Mitsubishi products, people and customer care, and now they can book a service there too,” said Unerkov.

The Mitsubishi Motors Australia Facebook page has been online since August 2010 and has quickly developed a loyal and passionate following.

It’s an open forum for Mitsubishi owners and enthusiasts to get the latest news, events and share their own’ Love That Car’ moment. Now with the addition of the new My Mitsubishi app the company has opened the door for a one-stop shop for all Mitsubishi customers’ vehicle needs.

My Mitsubishi allows the user to view the entire range, book a test drive, locate dealers, request a brochure and book a service all without leaving the Facebook page.

Proton Cars Australia newest ambassador is Scherri-Lee

Biggs, the winner of the Miss Universe Australia Pageant 2011. Proton has sponsored the event

for three years.


Ford Ranger challenge

Public voting for the Australian leg of the Ford Ranger Global Challenge opened at

the beginning of September.

The five finalists in this unique tough-truck challenge, who were announced at this year’s Australian International Motor Show, were given ten days to put an all-new Ford Ranger 4x4 through a series of punishing tests in their quest to win their very own version.

Recording each of their unique challenges was a professional camera crew. Footage of each challenge went live on the Ford Ranger Global Challenge website (www.fordrangerchallenge.com.au) on September 1, giving the Australian public one month to log in and vote for their favourite.

The challenger with the most votes will win an all-new Ford Ranger 4x4 XLT double cab.

The contestants: Caleb the Chippy (SA) Challenge: Caleb sought to prove the all-new Ranger’s “Built Ford Tough” claim by putting it through a punishing, non-stop 40-hour endurance test.

Far North Fisherman Terry (QLD) Challenge: Terry put the all-new Ford Ranger to work in his fisheries surveying business located in the wilds of far-north Queensland.

The Car Crusher (VIC) Challenge: The “car crusher” tested the all-new Ranger to its limits during the daily grind of running his pig farm.

Action John (WA) Challenge: Action John

tested if the all-new Ford Ranger could survive the bruising daily punishment of working in his freight company, located in north-west Western Australia.

Skier Steve (VIC) Challenge: Skier Steve tested if the all-new Ford Ranger could survive the hard work his Falls Creek’s company dished out during Victoria’s icy snow season.

The Ford Ranger Global Challenge is a unique experiential marketing campaign. It is intended to showcase the all-new Ranger’s “Built Ford Tough” credentials through real-world users.

Earlier this year, more than 1,300 Australians entered this competition by detailing what

they believed was the ultimate challenge that would test the abilities of the all-new Ford Ranger. From this group, five finalists were selected. They were each given an all-new Ford Ranger to conduct their proposed challenge in their own real-world conditions, making them among the first in the world to drive and test this yet-to-be-released all-new model. When voting for the most popular challenge closes at the end of September, the votes will be tallied and one lucky finalist will be presented with an all-new Ford Ranger XLT 4x4.

Following the Australian leg of this competition, the Ford Ranger Global Challenge

will continue a global roll-out through Thailand and South Africa before moving to Europe and South America.

“All around the world, truck users take their vehicles to task, pushing them hard every day. Whether they are delivering goods, working for the emergency services or driving them in mines hundreds of feet below the surface, we understand they rely on their truck to deliver,” Ford Australia’s vice president for marketing, sales and service, Beth Donovan, said.

“We want to show exactly what the new Ranger can do so we’ve put it in the hands of Australian customers to push

industry update

10 days to put a Ford Ranger 4X4

through a series of punishing tests


it to its limits.

“We believe the new Ranger is a smart and tough truck and we want consumers to know that too by seeing how our participants put the all-new Ranger through its paces.

“The initiative will also help build awareness and interest in the new Ford Ranger as it launches around the world,” Donovan said.

Scrap tyres for steel making

A senior professor at the University of New South Wales has developed a process to use scrap

tyres in the steel-making process.

Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Science Professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and head of the Centre for Sustainable

Materials Research and Technology in the UNSW Science Faculty, worked with local steel-maker OneSteel Ltd. on the process.

OneSteel has licensed the technology from NewSouth Innovations, UNSW’s commercialisation arm, and conducted a successful trial at its Sydney and Melbourne plants. The invention has the potential to divert 300,000 car tyres from landfills.

The system uses the old tyres as a partial replacement for coking coal in the arc furnace. The carbon in the tyres combines with iron to make steel, while the steel cord in the tyres melts into the new steel being created in the furnace.

OneSteel said it has made steelmaking cheaper and more efficient by slashing its power use by millions of kilowatts per year, and cutting its use of coking coal by 12 to 16 percent. The technology could massively cut power use and carbon emissions by the world’s 300 electric-arc furnace steelmaking plants, which account for 30 percent of crude-steel output globally.

The project won the category of environmental project and was the overall winner in the University’s Inventor of the Year awards for 2011.

The system uses the old tyres as a partial replacement for coking coal in the arc furnace. The carbon in the tyres combines with iron to make steel, while the steel cord in the tyres melts into the new steel being created in the furnace.

Safety sales increase

Australians are choosing to purchase safer vehicles, with figures for last year showing that almost three quarters of new cars purchased across the nation were four or five star rated.

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King MP, said the data showed more than 1 million new vehicles were sold in Australia last year, with over 70 per cent being 4 or 5-star safety rated under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety ratings.

“The Australian Government and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) congratulate Australian manufacturers and dealers for responding to consumer preferences and contributing to our nation’s road safety,” Ms King said.

“Consumers are demanding safer vehicles on our roads and these figures send a message to manufacturers about Australian road users’ central focus on road safety.

“This year the Australian Government led the way on safer vehicles by strengthening its fleet purchasing guidelines to ensure new vehicles purchased have high safety ratings.

“Fleet sales account for around half of all new vehicles sold each year, so such purchasing policies do influence manufacturers and distributors in the kinds of vehicle they produce and bring onto the market.”

“Purchasing 5-star fleet vehicles also has a flow-on effect, as these fleet vehicles are normally on-sold after two or three years, providing benefits for Australian motorists looking for safer used vehicles.”


Hydrogen car technology hits fast lane

CAR manufacturer Daimler and BOC Ltd’s parent company, The Linde Group,

are pressing ahead with the development of major infrastructure for hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles after a successful round-the world “test drive” which included an extensive Australian leg.

According to BOC, this initiative places Germany at the international forefront of hydrogen infrastructure development, setting a blueprint for others to follow.

Having started off from Stuttgart at the end of January, the F-CELL World Drive was the first

industry update circumnavigation of the globe in fuel-cell vehicles that took in four continents and 14 countries.

Each of the vehicles involved covered over 30,000 kilometres in a demonstration of the efficiency and suitability for everyday use of fuel cell technology while highlighting the need for a global hydrogen filling station network.

General Manager, Strategy & Planning for BOC, Michael Karbanowicz, said the drive had shown there was a very strong future for hydrogen as an alternative everyday fuel for vehicles.

Acting as the exclusive provider of hydrogen for the World Drive, BOC and The Linde Group guaranteed a reliable supply through its network of sites and subsidiaries around the globe.

“The key lesson is that the technology is ready, both from the vehicle perspective and from the refuelling side,” Mr Karbanowicz said.

“The challenge now is to develop the infrastructure to support hydrogen-powered vehicles on a wide scale as we are seeing in Germany.

“Such technologies will mean that we can break our reliance on fossil fuels and have a truly low emission

renewable domestically produced transport fuel.

“BOC currently has five hydrogen production plants in Australia situated in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

“With this existing network we can service any start up programs for hydrogen vehicles and as a world-leader in manufacturing and distributing hydrogen for over 80 years, BOC is more than prepared to invest in further hydrogen production plants if demand is required,’’ he said.

Over the coming three years, Daimler and The Linde Group plan to construct an additional 20 hydrogen filling stations in Germany, thereby ensuring a supply of hydrogen produced purely from renewable resources for the steadily increasing number of fuel-cell vehicles on the roads.

The initiative links in with the existing H2 Mobility and Clean Energy Partnership infrastructure projects, which are being subsidised by the National Innovation Programme for hydrogen and fuel cell technology (NIP).

It involves investment running into the tens of millions, and is set to more than triple the number of public hydrogen refuelling points in Germany.

The new stations will be located in the current hydrogen centres of Stuttgart, Berlin and Hamburg as well as along two new continuous north-south and east-west axes.

The aim is to use existing sites belonging to different petroleum companies that are strategically located in the traffic network.

This will make it possible to

Each of the vehicles involved covered over 30,000 kilometres in a demonstration of the efficiency and suitability for everyday use of fuel cell technology while highlighting the need for a global hydrogen filling station network.


drive anywhere in Germany with a fuel-cell-powered vehicle for the first time. One of the focal points for the infrastructure’s extension will be in Baden-Württemberg, where, 125 years after the invention of the motor car, the stage is being set for its reinvention.

“Together with the fuel cell, hydrogen is set to be of fundamental importance to the expansion of electromobility,” said Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, Chief Executive Officer of Linde AG.

“We are delighted to be able to play such an instrumental role in shaping this development together with Daimler.

“We see ourselves as providing an impetus for existing initiatives, such as H2 Mobility and the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), and wish to support the commercialisation of hydrogen vehicles as best we can.

“By systematically developing hydrogen technology, Germany can assume a pioneering role in this field and establish itself as the industry leader as we move towards emission-free mobility,’’ he said.

How the hydrogen car works: The B-Class F-CELL combines a high, emission-free range of around 400 km with short refilling times and as such is highly suitable for both everyday use in urban areas as well as longer journeys. At the heart of the B-Class F-CELL is the new-generation electric drive system powered by a fuel cell, which is compact, powerful, safe and fully suited to everyday use. The fuel cell generates the electrical power on board from a chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen.

Factors influencing EV purchases

Professional Services firm Deloitte, recently released a study - “Gaining traction: Will

consumers ride the electric vehicle wave?” - which highlighted that Australian consumers were continuing to shift their buying preferences based on concerns regarding more fuel efficient vehicles. The two studies, which surveyed 12,000 consumers globally across China, USA, Europe and Japan as well as 509 consumers in Australia, underlined the need for local automotive manufacturers to continue to focus on introducing new models.

Deloitte Motor Industry Services Partner, Danny Rezek believes the results highlight how dealers need to be aware that consumers are concerned about charge convenience, range and cost of electric vehicles (EVs).

“Australian consumers are some of the most informed in the world, and are continuing to indicate that issues around fuel efficiency (58%) and the environment (80%) are part of their purchase decisions,” said Rezek.

According to the Australian study, petrol prices proved to be a critical factor regarding the purchase decision for EVs.

“A petrol price of greater than $2.60 per litre would see more than 71% of respondents more likely to consider an electric vehicle purchase,” Rezek said.

The study also provides significant insight into consumer expectations around petrol/diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles.

“In our global study we found that the better the fuel efficiency becomes for ICE vehicles, the less interested consumers become in EVs. A total of 68% of consumers in the U.S. and 57% in China are less likely to consider an EV if they are able to find more fuel-efficient run vehicles.

In Australia, this number is 54%,” said Rezek.

According to the study, a significant proportion of consumers in the world’s four largest automotive markets either identify themselves as potential first movers, or at least willing to consider purchasing an electric vehicle (U.S. 54%, China 93%, Europe 69%, and Japan 48%). However in Australia, 59% fall into the potential first movers and might be willing to consider segments, when purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. China stands out with 50% of consumers falling into the potential first movers category, followed by Europe with 16%. Japan has the smallest percentage of consumers in the potential first movers segment with only 4%.

“It appears that the profile of first movers in Australia is concerned about the environment, earn relatively high incomes and live in cities. Also Australian consumers consider the ability to charge from home as an extremely important consideration,” concluded Rezek.

making money


One of the biggest missed opportunities we see in business reports is lumping all

revenue into one account and not breaking it down into categories. Breaking down, not only the revenue, but also the costs associated with each revenue source, enables you to see clearly where you’re making and losing money.

Pricing of products and services is vital to profit. To ensure profit it’s vital to know the true cost of the product or service and keep an eye on it, to avoid ‘margin squeeze’ i.e. allowing costs to rise without increasing prices and absorbing extra cost. Market forces have an impact on pricing but it’s not viable to continually absorb cost increases without price increases. It’s not always necessary to increase everything.

Example: One client recently told us they hadn’t increased prices for years. We did some analysis to find out what were their best selling products. On each of these we agreed to a small increase with no resistance from customers. A small regular price increase is much easier to achieve that irregular big ones. Most customers expect a CPI increase and if it’s written into contracts, it’s much easier to achieve.

Costing of products and services is vital knowledge to work out gross profit. Gross profit is the difference between revenue and costs and is an important benchmark. Cost of products may include: the product, importing, freight, packaging, labour, warehouse, raw materials etc.

Cost of jobs may include: labour, materials, out of pocket

expenses etc. If gross profit is below expectations it may be necessary to assess how products and services are costed and acquired.

Example: We had one client in a wholesale business whose packaging was a large portion of costs. When we questioned their ability to negotiate a better price with the supplier, they said it wasn’t possible. We did some shopping around and found a supplier who offered a 10% reduction. The regular supplier soon agreed to a similar reduction.

Labour is another example of cost management on jobs. It’s often the case where chargeable labour spends time doing non chargeable work such as admin. If you take the number of people, and calculate the total hours spent on admin multiplied by

their hourly charge out rate, it’s often the case that the cost of employing someone else to do it is less than the missed income.

Overheads can get out of hand where there is no budgetary control. Owners don’t always have time to keep an eye on what everyone is spending, or shop around for the best deal. A budget can be a saver as well as keeping your banker happy.

One overhead that can get out of hand is wages. Often in a growing business, people are employed to meet demand, without proper job descriptions. An organisational chart can be useful for a growing business. Begin by listing all tasks in the business, then list who currently does them. Any overlaps and gaps should become obvious and job descriptions can be realigned to suit. Giving someone the task of shopping around for better deals can be a saver.

Debt collection is an area that has blown out recently. Dunn & Bradstreet recently reported that average collection days were 55.6 days. Compare this to your 7-day terms to see what impact this is having on cash flow. Start with Terms of Trade so your customers understand the expectation. Invoice as soon as the product/service has been delivered or get a deposit or progress payments. Then follow up smartly. Email follow-ups for small amounts and phone calls for large

A simple way to ensure business profitability and healthy cash flow is to focus on what drives both.• What drives revenue needs to be understood.• How saleable is the product or service and what’s the

market? • What marketing is working and how much is it costing to

acquire a customer? • Is it profitable revenue? • How does the true cost of delivering the product or

service compare with the price?

• Are customers returning and if not why not?

making money


and keeping someamounts. Keep good records of reasons/excuses for late payment and agree to outstanding amounts being paid off in instalments over a period.

Stock and Jobs can be a huge drain on cash flow. Think of stock as dollars piled up on the stock room floor

and jobs in progress as dollars on the workroom floor.

It really pays to reduce the

time stock

sits in store and jobs wait to be finished and invoiced. Good records and planning are vital to management of both. There are some cost effective online systems available that can save

thousands of dollars in working capital requirement to fund stock and jobs. Examples are Unleashed Inventory Software and WorkflowMax Job Management Software, both of which link to Xero Online

Accounting Software.

Slowing down payment to suppliers is often the last resort where there are cash flow problems. Often we see suppliers being paid too quickly or worse being overpaid. A close

eye on this area can

provide much needed cash.

CFO On-Call would like to offer a

FREE book ‘The Seven Key Numbers that Drive

Profit and Cash Flow’ to readers of this article. Call us for your copy on:

1300 36 24 36 or visit www.CFOonCall.com.au


sportAttard well positioned in ASBK standings

Queenslander Ben Attard made the podium in both races at the QBE Australian

Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway in August, giving him a current standing of tied for 2nd in the overall standings after round 6 of 8.

“It was a good weekend, I’m really happy to be on the podium twice this weekend, it definitely proved that we’re a frontrunner now and that a race win is getting closer and closer,” said Attard, who rode his i-Style The Natural Aprilia RSV4.

“It was there today and there was an opportunity to take it but I messed up, we struggled with rear grip in today’s race but we’ll go on to the next one feeling strong,” he added.

Team Honda’s Jamie Stauffer (NSW) defied the disappointment of a dramatic crash and subsequent DNF in the first race to win the second race of round 6.

Stauffer led the 14-lap clash from pole, treading carefully on a low-grip circuit as he fended off a race-long challenge from Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters.

Stauffer and Waters engaged in a battle of the late breakers, with Waters attempting but unable to convert a number of moves for position at the end of the circuit’s 280km/h back straight.

The overall round 6 victory fell in favour of Stauffer’s Honda team mate, Wayne Maxwell (VIC), who backed up his race win on the first day with a fifth in the second race.

Maxwell lacked the front end confidence to push forward during the second race but was relieved to bag more valuable points after a roller coaster year.

Procon Maxima BMW rider Glenn Allerton (VIC) was unable to challenge for a race podium but pushed on to finish fourth, snaring

second overall for the round.

The result marks Allerton’s first non-podium finish for the

season, an incredible statistic which sees

him sitting comfortably atop the standings as the ASBK looks ahead to its penultimate round at Symmons Plains in November.

The BMW rider’s points lead extended to 67 today as the battle for positions 2 through to 6 tightened considerably.

By virtue of his pole position point, race win and DNF, Jamie Stauffer remains in second but is joined by Attard, with both riders sitting on 196 points.

Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss (VIC) holds onto fourth place despite a disappointing run at this event. He survived a

run through the gravel trap at the end of turn 3 today to salvage 9th for the round.

Craig Coxhell (VIC) may not have had the pace of the podium placers but rode consistently to maintain 5th on the standings.

QBE ASBK action resumes at Symmons Plains for its third 2+4 event of the year on November 11-13.

Left to right: Stauffer, Waters, Attard

Inset: Ben Attard

“It was a good weekend, I’m really happy to be on the podium twice this weekend, it definitely proved that we’re a frontrunner now and that a race win is getting closer and closer.”


Showtime: Performance Racing Industry

The Australian Performance Racing & Tuning Council (PRTC) is planning

an Australian pavilion of at least 360 square metres at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show to be held 1 to 3 December in Orlando, Florida.

The PRTC is the non-competitive specialist council of Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) members operating in the performance, tuning and racing sector.

AAAA Senior Manager, Government and International Relations, Ben Bartlett, said the 25 Australian companies that participated in the 2010 mission achieved multi-million dollar sales orders.

“This is a significant result, particularly given the low unit cost of the products,” said Bartlett.

“Sales of Australian products following the 2010 PRI Trade Show are 25%

higher than for the previous year.

“We thank Austrade and the New South Wales and Victorian Governments for their services and funding support, and look forward to working with them again this year.

“In addition to the buzz created by our Australian pavilion, we also generated excellent publicity in the USA racing media in 2010, thanks to our Victorian Government supported mission ambassador Marcos Ambrose.

Now in his third year as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver in the USA, and with a depth of knowledge about Australian performance products, he was a popular attraction and added a racer’s credibility to our 2010 mission.

“We went to the PRI Trade Show with some great product. The response from the US trade was ‘wow - look at the quality of this gear’. The time and money invested by the PRTC and its members are now paying dividends.

“Australian performance and racing products are

significant rebates on costs incurred on this mission. We recommend businesses contact the AAAA, or their local state government representatives, for more information. Among the companies already booked to participate in the 2011 PRI Trade Show pavilion are Davies Craig, Disc Brakes Australia, Harrop Engineering, Pedders Suspension, Penrite Oil, SuperPro Australia, Turbosmart and Whiteline. Some of these brands have leveraged their earlier export drives and are now widely sold in the USA market.

“With exhibition space in the PRTC Australian Pavilion filling quickly, members thinking about participating must make their decision now. With the potential for government funding available to support your investment in the PRI Trade Show, there is no better opportunity to either expand your US presence, or break into this huge American performance and racing market,” said Bartlett.

As part of its advance work for its 2011 mission to the PRI Trade Show, the PRTC hosted a USA trade delegation representing large buying groups at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo held in Melbourne in May. This group left Australia impressed with both the products on show at the Expo and the professionalism of the businesses behind them. They will be supporting the PRTC pavilion at the PRI Trade Show.

For information about the 2011 PRTC mission to the PRI Trade Show, contact Ben Bartlett at E: [email protected] or T: 03 9545 3333.

growing in acceptance on the global market because our products are based on innovative technologies and they are manufactured to high quality standards,” said Bartlett.

The PRI Trade Show is the world’s largest display of auto racing technology. Last year 1000 companies in 3000 booths attracted 40,000 visitors from 65 countries. Visitors to this trade only event include race product distributors, resellers and the race teams themselves, all looking for components that will win. The USA race market is valued at AUD$14 billion.

Participating businesses can be eligible for

“In addition to the buzz created by our Australian pavilion, we also generated excellent publicity in the USA racing media in 2010, thanks to our Victorian Government supported mission ambassador Marcos Ambrose.

Pictured at the PRTC pavilion during the 2010 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Florida, were Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Executive Director Stuart Charity, AAAA Senior Manager - Government and International Relations Ben Bartlett, NASCAR racing driver Marcus Ambrose, NSW Department of Trade’s Roslyn Mitchelson, Australian Trade Commission’s Chicago Officer Philip Jankura, and Victorian Department of Trade’s San Francisco Officer Brian Carnahan.


MIT newsSkilling our future

Sen. Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace

Relations, officially launched National Skills Week at the National Press Club in Canberra on 21 September 2011.

National Skills Week is a new initiative; a collaborative approach dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning, enabling all Australians to gain a greater understanding of the opportunities, their potential and how they contribute to a successful, modern economy.

Australian Apprenticeships, especially traditional trades, are an undervalued career choice and are often described in negative terms, something that Chief Executive of SkillsOne, Brian Wexham, believes needs to be addressed.

“National Skills Week brings to life the positive messages associated with learning a trade, highlighting the talents, the skills and the value of apprentices and trainees across Australia to the wider public and employers,” Mr Wexham said.

“Learning by doing is as important as academic learning- there are many paths to success.”

Some of the activities that were planned to celebrate National Skills Week included Group Training Organisations hosting information sessions to highlight the wide array of choices in Vocational Education, as well as showcasing the diversity of skills taught by Registered

Training Organisations.

For example, MTA Institute of Technology offers educational programs that range from a full automotive curriculum through to diploma of management courses.

The week also coincided with the International WorldSkills Competition held in London. Australia had a team of 29 elite skilled champions who represented Australia against 54 other nations.

SkillsOne Television developed a comprehensive programming schedule that showcased the variety and opportunities available through vocational education.

The concept of National Skills Week is to provide

focus to Vocational Education & Training (VET), its achievements, the contribution, the career pathways, the opportunities and the success stories.

One of the significant features of recent government policy recommendations related to the Skills Agenda has been “Shared Responsibility” as Government alone cannot solve the skills shortage. It requires an undertaking from Industry, Government (State & Federal), the community, education and training providers, enterprises, job seekers, workers, parents, students and career counsellors to be engaged and play a role in meeting workforce development needs.

National Skills Week aimed to highlight that a partnership with these stakeholders will assist Australia in meeting the unique challenges that address the skill and labour demands of our industries and provide the opportunity for Australians to benefit from a growth economy.

National Skills Week brought to life the positive messages, highlighting the talents, the skills and the value of apprentices and trainees across Australia to the wider public and employers. The week was dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning.

This project is funded by the Australian Government.

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

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membersGallantry in action remembered

Forty-five years after the Battle of Long Tan, Governor-General Quentin Bryce honoured

the 6RAR Delta company veterans with a unit citation for extraordinary gallantry in action.

Hervey Bay man Harry Smith, then a 33 year old Major, led a little over 100 soldiers in 6RAR’s Delta Company in a fierce firefight against 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese in the Long Tan rubber plantation on August 18, 1966.

The vastly outnumbered unit lost 18 soldiers with another 24 wounded.

At least two hundred and fifty enemy soldiers were killed and scores more hurt.

But despite the unit’s heroic actions, the former Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith was forced to fight for their right to recognition.

After decades of bureaucratic brush-offs, Lt Col Smith was presented with a Star of Gallantry medal in March this year.

And he is finally able to rest easy after his fellow soldiers were given the citation on the 45 year anniversary.

“The recognition is very belated, but I am proud that

the men have been given proper acknowledgement for their heroism.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator the Hon David Feeney said the Battle of Long Tan had great symbolic importance for all Australians.

“We must never forget the service and sacrifice of these brave Australians who fought with great courage and valour in the face of adversity,” he said.

MTA Queensland’s

immediate past President, Greg Klease, said that some years ago he had the pleasure of meeting Harry Smith

“I met Harry through my good friend Jim Purcell OAM, the Chief Controller at Volunteer Marine Rescue in Gladstone,” said Mr Klease.

“Harry and Jim and their wives used to cruise for many years from Southern Queensland to Cape York each year until Harry’s wife passed away.

“Harry - who lives in Hervey Bay – recently travelled to Townsville by his old timber boat to have ongoing medical treatment that he sustained in the war, and whilst in Townsville, he stayed on his boat at the Breakwater Townsville Marina.

The cemetery at Long Tan

(inset) Harry with his medals

“I phoned MTAQ North Queensland Representative, Rod Pether as to the possibility of loaning Harry a vehicle for a week. Rod graciously loaned Harry a vehicle for six weeks free of charge, which demonstrates the true spirit of our Association.”


MTA Queensland welcomes the following new membersBusiness Name Principal/s Street/Postal Address Division

Toombul Road Auto Smash Sean Morris 92-94 Old Toombul Rd Northgate QLD 4013 [email protected]

NACA

Matilda Mango Hill John & Jeff Hamon Anzac Ave Mango Hill QLD 4509 [email protected]

SSCSAQ

Faranda Automotive Service Paul Geronimos and Alex Bennett 52 Deshon St Woolloongabba QLD 4102 [email protected]

AED

Gullwings Pty Ltd Stephen Kubler & Shelley Nicholson Unit 5-1 Kamholtz St MolendinarQLD 4214 [email protected]

AED

Hi-Way1 Truck & Tractor Dennis & Sue Jurss Bruce Hwy Gympie QLD 4570 [email protected]

QFIMD

St James Automotive Robert James 516 Bilsen Rd Geebung QLD 4034 [email protected]

AED

Outback Spares Craig and Patricia Scott 127 Alfred St Charlieville QLD 4470 [email protected]

AED

Hannam Street Mufflers Robyn and Michael Walsh 19 Hannam St Cairns QLD 4870 [email protected]

AED

Koah Automotive Norman and Jocelyn Dallison 2 Koah Rd Koah QLD 4881 [email protected]

AED

Coomera Smash Repairs Jeffrey Cunningham 157 Old Pacific Hwy Oxenford QLD 4210 [email protected]

NACA

Transfers

Emerald Agencies Natasha & Shane Seawright 6 Clermont St Emerald QLD 4874 [email protected]

ERAQ

Denrob Auto Services Helen & Ralp Huggard Unit 3 7 Leo Alley Rd Noosaville QLD 4566 [email protected]

AED

“I phoned MTAQ North Queensland Representative, Rod Pether of Rod Pether Motors as to the possibility of loaning Harry a vehicle for a week.

Rod graciously loaned Harry a vehicle for six weeks free of charge, which demonstrates the true spirit of our Association,” Mr Klease added.

The Battle of Long TanFrom 8 June 1966 to 14 June 1967, Smith, then a Major, was Officer Commanding D Coy, 6RAR. On 18 August 1966, after heavy mortar shelling of the Australian base at Nui Dat the previous night, companies from 6RAR were sent out to locate the Vietnamese units involved. Smith led the

107 soldiers of D Coy out on patrol, but at 3.15pm, while patrolling a rubber plantation at Long Tan that afternoon, they encountered a regiment-sized Vietnamese force (the Viet Cong 275th Regiment, supported by the North Vietnamese Army D445 Battalion) attempting to advance on the base. A monsoon struck at the same time, but Smith organised his forces to successfully hold off the assault, while coordinating support from Australian, New Zealand, and United States artillery units back at Nui Dat. D Coy was relieved at 6.55pm by A and B Companies, at which point the Vietnamese withdrew. 18 Australians were killed and 24 wounded during the Battle of Long Tan, but under Smith’s command, D Coy

had fended off a numerically superior force, with at least 245 Vietnamese confirmed as killed, and another 300 believed wounded. 15 Australians were given bravery awards, but many of these had been downgraded from the original nomination: Smith’s leadership of his men during the fierce fighting saw him recommended for the Distinguished Service Order, but he instead received the Military Cross. Following service in Vietnam, Smith commanded 1 Commando Company at Georges Heights and was later posted to the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth, Western Australia. Smith left the Army in 1976.

On 14 August 2008, after years of campaigning for better recognition of Long

Tan veterans, Smith’s Military Cross was upgraded to the Star of Gallantry. Several other personnel who fought at Long Tan had their bravery awards upgraded to correspond to the original nomination at the same time.

On 9 March 2011 at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, Smith was presented the Star of Gallantry by local MP Paul Neville. Many of the Long Tan veterans were in attendance for the ceremony.

Smith was born in Hobart, Tasmania on 25 July 1933. After service as a National Serviceman, Smith joined the Australian Regular Army and graduated as Second Lieutenant from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea.


healthHealthy lifestyle eating

A delicious Mediterranean eating plan can help protect against heart disease, diabetes,

cancer and can even help with weight loss.

When we think of the Mediterranean diet, we picture Europeans leisurely dining on meals of fish, vegetables, fruits, olives, and crusty whole-grain bread dunked in olive oil, along with a glass of wine.

For thousands of years, residents of the Mediterranean coastal region have enjoyed this kind of delicious diet - high in plant foods and monounsaturated fats (like olive oil) - while getting plenty of regular physical activity. They don’t think of their eating habits as a diet plan; it’s simply their way of life. And it’s a way of life that apparently leads to long, healthy lives virtually free of chronic disease.

For the past 50 years, scientists have studied the eating patterns characteristic of the Mediterranean diet and they continue to find additional health benefits. Recently, a large study showed that healthy people who followed a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Further, a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that a restricted-calorie Mediterranean

diet (as well as a low carbohydrate diet) could be even more effective for weight loss than a low-fat diet, while also offering other health benefits.

Research continues to demonstrate that being physically active and eating a nutritious diet of primarily whole foods that are filling and satisfying can enable people to control weight, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce risk of diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and basically protect against chronic diseases.

What is it about the Mediterranean diet that makes it so healthy?

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and seeds provides thousands of

micronutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help protect against cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, among other conditions, experts say.

The multiple factors at work in the Mediterranean diet provide health benefits that cannot be replaced by a supplement.

Monounsaturated fats, found in avocado, fish, canola and olive oils, are anti-inflammatory and fight disease at the cellular level. And olive oil, with its rich monounsaturated fat content, has gotten lots of attention. But according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2003, it may not be the olive oil itself, but the interaction or synergy between all the foods that

leads to the health benefits.

Studies show the Mediterranean diet’s protective effect against obesity and type 2 diabetes is likely due to its high proportion of plant foods, fish, and olive oil, along with moderate consumption of alcohol.

A Mediterranean diet is high in fiber, which slows down digestion, preventing wild swings in blood sugar; reduces insulin resistance (a precursor of type 2 diabetes); and improves insulin sensitivity to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Many studies have confirmed that a diet that is high in fat but low in saturated fat ultimately reduces the risks of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

And it’s important to note

Thou shouldest eat to live; not live to eatSocrates - Greek Philosopher 469 - 399 BC


that the Mediterranean lifestyle is not just about food and wine; it also includes regular physical activity. Not only is the typical Western diet much higher in calories and saturated fat, we are more sedentary. As a result, our rates of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes are among the highest in the world.

The good news is that studies have shown that it’s never too late to adopt the Mediterranean lifestyle to increase longevity and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that seniors who led a healthy lifestyle - defined

The Mediterranean diet also emphasizes minimally processed, fresh, and preferably local foods. Typical meals include plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, olive oil, whole grains, pasta, and cereals, with lesser amounts of fish, poultry, eggs, and low-fat dairy, and even smaller amounts of meat. A glass of wine is almost always served with lunch and dinner.

If you visit the Mediterranean region, you may also notice that the locals tend to enjoy leisurely dining, taking pleasure in savoring their meals. And while they eat plenty of healthy fats and drink some alcohol, they

generally aren’t plagued with weight problems. That’s because the quantity of food they consume is balanced with regular physical activity.

You can embrace the Mediterranean style of eating by making smart food choices. Select whole grains for your breads, cereals, and starches. Choose fish, low-fat dairy, poultry, nuts, and legumes to satisfy your protein needs (include some lean meat as well). Bulk up on vegetables. And, most important, reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet and use olive or canola oil instead of butter.

That’s not to say you can pour it on with abandon.

Calories and portions still count, even when they are healthy. Olive and canola oils are good for the heart but hard on the waistlines because all oils contain 120 calories per tablespoon.

Try using a double-handed pour method for oils - one hand on the bottle and one hand holding a measuring spoon. No freehand pouring, or you will end up with much more fat and calories than you need.

If you enjoy alcohol, women can include one serving a day and men can have two servings daily and still meet the recommendations most international heart associations and their dietary guidelines.

The bottom line is that research on the Mediterranean diet shows once again that good nutrition and physical activity are a prescription for a long and healthy life. There seems to be an infinite number of health reasons why we need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains - and weight loss is just one of them.

as not smoking, eating a Mediterranean-type diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, and engaging in 30 minutes of daily physical activity - significantly increased their life expectancy.

Of course, we don’t have to move to the Mediterranean to reap the benefits of this region’s good health habits. How can we go about adopting into our lifestyles?

As there is not one single ‘Mediterranean diet’, instead, there’s a dietary pattern: Plenty of plant foods (perhaps as much as a kilo a day), limited amounts of animal protein, and very little saturated fats.

The Mediterrean Diet

A few times a month

A few times a week

Daily• Wine in moderation

• Salt in moderation

• Water: 6 - 8 glasses

• Red Meat: beef, Veal, Pork, Lamb

• White Meat: Poultry, Rabbit,Turkey etc

• Fish and Seafood

• Eggs

• Nuts (in moderation))

• Olives

• Desserts

• Dairy, Cheese

• Olive Oil

• Legumes and Pulses

• Fruit and Vegetables (including Potatoes)

• Non refined cereal and products:

Bread, Pasta, Rice,

Polenta, Bulgar

The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific financial needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

To fi nd out more about MTAA Super, you can contact your local representative: • Peter 0419 655 254• Diedre 0407 732 660• Lynne 0409 995 868Email: [email protected]: 1300 362 415Visit: www.mtaasuper.com.au.

This information has been prepared by the Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628,AFSL 238718, FSEL0001069), an Approved Trustee company engaged solely in managing MTAA Super for the benefit of its members. All care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this article is correct at the time of this publication, however, neither the Trustee of MTAA Super nor its advisors accept responsibility for any error or misprint, nor for anyone acting on this information. MTAA Super (ABN 74559365913, RSER10004373)

Lynne Wilkinson Diedre Bell Peter Jones

Do you run a business with fewer than 20 employees? If so, why not take advantage of the new free Government Clearing House that lets you pay all your employees’ superannuation in a single electronic payment?

The Australian Government offers a free online clearing house service to small

businesses with fewer than 20 employees. The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (Medicare Clearing House) is designed to reduce the administrative burden for small business owners in order for them to meet their superannuation guarantee obligations. As part of these obligations, businesses may need to make superannuation contributions to numerous superannuation funds. This process can be time consuming and result in increased administrative costs.

How does the Clearing House work?All you have to do is

register your employee’s superannuation fund details and superannuation contribution amounts with the Clearing House for processing. The Clearing House will then distribute the superannuation contributions to the relevant superannuation funds.

What are the benefits?• You only have to make one

electronic payment to the clearing house to transfer superannuation payments for all your employees

• It is free

• It reduces the administrative burden by minimising the time and paperwork involved in paying contributions into numerous fund

• Once you are set-up, it will only take a few minutes to use the Small Business Clearing House

Is your business eligible?The service is available to employers with fewer than 20 employees. An employee is

defined as an individual who is employed full time, part time or on a casual basis. Your eligibility will be measured each time you use the service.

How to registerTo use the Clearing House, you need to register online.

1. Go to www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/super, enter your details, and your user ID and password will be emailed to you.

2. Once you receive your user ID and password, logon and complete your registration.

3. Enter the details about each of your employees—this only needs to be done once and will take about three minutes for each employee.

4. Each time you make superannuation payments, enter the contribution amounts for each employee and submit this along with your payment. The Clearing

House will then generate and distribute the total contribution amount to each superannuation fund. It is that simple!

For more information If you have any questions, call Medicare on 1300 660 048 or visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/super where you can take a guided tour of the service using the online demonstration. Alternatively, call MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 and we’ll be happy to help you.

This document is issued by the Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913, SPIN MTA0100AU). Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd, ME Bank Pty Ltd and Superpartners Pty Ltd.

Submitting your super contributions the easy way


Run only to benefit members

Low fees

No commissions

Does your super fund tick all the right boxes?

Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) is the Trustee of MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). You should consider whether or not MTAA Super is appropriate for you. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained by calling us on 1300 362 415. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

MTAA Super is the Industry SuperFund for the Motor Industry and anyone can join.

For more information visit www.mtaasuper.com.au


Avoiding waste can be both a cost-saver for business and a benefit to our environment.

With new commercial waste laws to be introduced in December, including a levy on commercial and industrial type wastes going to landfill instead of recycling, businesses need to look at waste avoidance, minimisation, recycling and reuse.

Following the widely accepted waste hierarchy, businesses can identify options to:

• Reduce – can waste be avoided or reduced by the way the business procures goods and services or by changing the way it operates?

• Reuse – does another local business have a use for the waste materials produced?

• Recycle – what materials can be targeted for recycling?

Businesses can reduce waste and save on business costs by participating in a ClimateSmart Business Cluster. Business clusters provide a forum for business groups to work together, grow and conduct business in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way.

John Madill Toyota in Gympie participated in the first Gympie Region

ClimateSmart Business Cluster, lead by local sustainability consultants About Freedom. John Madill Toyota made substantial cost savings on waste, energy and water costs by implementing the following actions:

• Minimised use of hard copy information, reduced the amount of recyclable materials going into waste bins by improving recycling awareness and practices

• Replaced one ute trip to landfill per week with two bale bags per week from Red Cross recycling collection service - including recycling of

cardboard and vehicle protection plastic

• Window cleaning program

• Greater use of natural ventilation and fans instead of air conditioning

• Trigger control nozzles on all hoses

• Used environmentally friendly biodegradable products for cleaning.

John Madill Toyota achieved a 36% saving in waste costs and 19% saving in energy costs.

Businesses can also cuts costs by knowing how much and what types of material the business produces. By identifying materials which

can be recycled, the business can then identify the most suitable waste and recycling collection options.

The BusinessRecycling.com.au website and hotline was established to create a centralised portal for businesses to find recycling services in their area. Businesses can find national and local service providers for around 90 different materials from construction materials to food scraps.

Businesses can find out about local recycling services, and get tips and advice about particular materials, by visiting businessrecycling.com.au or calling the Business Recycling hotline on 1300 763 768.

For more details of Madill Toyota’s sustainability program: Con Meares [email protected] or 0419 023 969.

For more details of the Queensland Government’s waste reforms, and to find out about programs funded by the levy to help businesses reduce the amount of waste they generate, go to www.derm.qld.gov.au/waste.

Waste avoidance– a strong contributor to any business’s cost reduction program

The team at John Madill Toyota were able to achieve a 36% saving in waste costs and 19% saving in energy costs.


automobile newsCompass coming by year’s endThe Jeep® Compass has just been confirmed for arrival in Australia later this year, offering a unique blend of premium styling, capability, efficiency and value that is set to ignite the compact-SUV segment. Whilst detailed specifications are yet to be confirmed for the Australian variant, it is certain to host more than 30 safety and security features, including standard electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Hill-start Assist and side-curtain air bags that cover all rows.

The new JettaThe new Jetta is 4.74 metres long, 1.47 metres tall and 1.78 metres wide. This makes the Volkswagen 19 centimetres longer than the previous model. The extended wheelbase of the five-seat Jetta has enabled a rear-seating layout that is appreciably more comfortable. Compared to the previous model, legroom has increased significantly. The new Jetta will be offered with the choice of TSI direct injection petrol and TDI turbo diesel power plants, all which are perfectly matched with either manual or Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmissions.

Kia conceptPowerful, dynamic and forward-looking, Kia’s new concept car signals the company’s distinctive new design direction. This rear-wheel drive four-door sports sedan marries sleek and muscular proportions with a sophisticated and elegant four-seater cockpit. The car is debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show during the second half of September. “No matter from which perspective you look at it, this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off,” said Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Chief Design Officer. “I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: we are ready to fast-forward to an all-new chapter,” he added.


The Audi A8 HybridCombining the power of a six-cylinder model with the fuel consumption of a four-cylinder version, Audi’s brand new A8 Hybrid model will start series production in 2012. Its gasoline engine – a 2.0 TFSI – together with the electric motor will develop peak output of 180 kW (245 hp) and 480 Nm of torque. Average fuel consumption is below 6.4 litres per 100 km. The sedan can travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h on electric power alone, and cover around three kilometres with zero local emissions at a constant speed of 60 km/h.

Back to blackResponding to the overwhelming feedback received on the FPV Concept, revealed at this year’s Australian International Motor Show, FPV have taken the popular black-on-black treatment and applied the stealth-looking paintwork to just 125 units of the current standard supercharged Boss 335kW GT. The recommended Manufacturer’s List Price for the GT BLACK is $74,290 plus dealer delivery fee, stamp duty, registration, compulsory third party (CTP) insurance and other statutory charges may be payable by a customer in relation to the purchase of this vehicle. The final transaction price for the vehicle will be as negotiated by the customer with their chosen FPV Dealer.

In vogueThe 2012 Range Rover Vogue model offers a highly distinctive new look with blind spot monitoring, surround camera system, automatic high beam assist, illuminated sill tread plates and an 8-inch dual view infotainment screen - allowing the driver to view the navigation display whilst the passenger can relax watching a video. Power output is 276kW at 6,500rpm with torque of 510Nm at 3,500rpm, reaching 100kph from rest in just 7.2 seconds. Deliveries of will commence from October. Pricing commences at $160,500 for the Vogue 4.4L TDV8.

Our Stationery Catalogue is available online at www.mtaq.com.au Telephone: 07 3237 8781 Toll free 1800 177 951

• General Office Stationery Supplies • Motor Vehicle Sales Stationery

• Job/Time Cards • Service Station Supplies

• Signage • Approved Inspection Station Signage and Decals

• Accessories • MTA Queensland Member Signage

• Technical Publications

Product Catalogue

2011

Stationery for the automotive industry

GET ON SIDE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERSThe Monroe Safety Specialist Program maximises your competitive edge by showing your customers that you’re serious about their safety. Find out more at www.monroe.com.au

A SAFETY PROGRAM TO MAXIMISE YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE

Mark WinterbottomMonroe’s Safety Ambassador

Shock absorbers, brakes and tyres are essential to your motoringsafety. Shock absorbers keep your wheels in contact with the road –

without them your brakes and tyres simply can’t do their job!

STOPPINGAt 50km/h, just oneworn shock absorber

can increase yourstopping distanceby up to 2 metres!

STEERINGWorn shock absorberscan cause your tyresto lose contact with

the road, dramaticallyaffecting steering.

STABILITYWorn shock absorbers

cause excessivesway around corners,

making the car alot less stable.

MON

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MON17479 MTA QLD July 2011 ƒ.indd 1 12/07/11 1:53 PM

september online edition

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