AM MAGAZINE SHELL - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS
AAAA Report ...................................4
Calendar & New Members.................5
News ..............................................6
Products .......................................20
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
HR Matters....................................90
4WD .............................................91
PRTC ............................................92
Retail............................................94
Canberra samples LPG ...................................................................................6
Retaining Aussie engineers.............................................................................7
Long career celebrated ...................................................................................8
Bridgestone drives green ................................................................................8
First CNC fuel station...................................................................................10
Renting out idle cars....................................................................................10
Armor All switches .......................................................................................11
FAG sets the pace........................................................................................12
ABS expands support ...................................................................................14
MEMBER FEATURES
45
46
Monroe proves it is on pole position when it comes to safety,
supporting two national and high profile road safety awareness events ..............45
PBR gives a run down on braking systems, brake fluid and wheel
speed sensors and how they impact on safety.................................................83
FEATURES
Maintaining a green car is different to the conventional ones ...........................42
Getting the best ride with steering and suspension..........................................46
Thailand’s trade show proves that it is the ‘Detroit of Asia’...............................64
Green is the new black at Taiwan’s AMPA and AutoTronics shows .....................86
68
ABOUT THE COVER
There is no doubt that Monroe has played an integral part
in promoting enhanced road safety through its marketing
messages over the past three decades. Monroe’s efforts
to increase road safety continues with the iconic brand’s
involvement in two major national road safety awareness
campaigns led by Fatality Free Friday.
86
All material appearing in Australian Automotive Aftermarket magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent.
Contribution: Freelance contribution and submissions are welcomed by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and
transparencies. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the AAAA. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable
and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. 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.

AAAA REPORT
AAAA to oppose proposed changes
to bull bar regulations
MAY 2010
Peter Hein
President
Stuart Charity
Executive Director
Businesses involved in the manufacture,
distribution and fitment of bull bars should be aware
that the Federal Government is currently considering
the adoption of United Nations Economic
Cooperation for Europe (UNECE) regulation which
relates to the design and safety performance of
vehicles that come into contact with pedestrians and
other vulnerable road users.
In simple terms, if the regulation were adopted in
full, there would be a requirement for every new
vehicle sold in Australia to meet stringent pedestrian
safety criteria, which would be administered via the
Australian Design Rule (ADR) process. The timing
of European adoption of the regulation is through a
phased approach between 2013 and 2019. In the
European Union, the roll out of this regulation
incorporates the design and performance of vehicle
frontal protection systems.
As a signatory to the UNECE, the Australian
Government is obliged to consider the introduction
of all regulation developed via this process and the
lead agency is the Department of Infrastructure,
Transport, Regional Development and Local
Government. The Department is in the process of
preparing a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS),
which will seek public input into the possible
adoption of the regulation to assist them in
developing a cost/benefit analysis. We understand
that the RIS will be circulated in July 2010 with a
final decision to be made by Government before the
end of the year.
It is the belief of the AAAA that it is simply not
possible to design and manufacture any form of
effective and commercially viable bull bar that would
meet this European standard. As such, full adoption
of the standard would spell the end of the bull bar as
we know it and would have a devastating impact on
the 4x4 parts and accessories industry in Australia.
As many people would be aware, bull bars have
been the subject of significant debate and media
attention over many years. It is disappointing that
much of this debate rarely takes into account the
significant road safety benefits of the product. Each
year in Australia many thousands of collisions occur
between motor vehicles and animals, resulting in
considerable vehicle repair costs, injury to persons,
and loss of animal life. In 2007 NRMA Insurance
recorded over 9000 animal-related collisions in
NSW alone, with the total cost to the NSW
community estimated at $70 million. Kangaroo
strikes accounted for 78 percent of these claims
with the report noting that, “kangaroos will often
look for food and water near busy roads or even in
urban areas”. Another important attribute of the
bull bar that is rarely considered is its critical role
in recovering stranded vehicles in remote areas.
The Australian landscape and our broad expanse
of rural roads often expose road users to encounters
with animals, with the majority of serious collisions
occurring in regional, rural and outer urban areas.
The condition of many regional roads and our road
design, which includes verges and drainage ditches
running alongside major roads increases the risk of
animal strike, particularly in drought conditions. In
addition many of the highways and motorways in
Europe are fenced which is rarely the case in
Australia. The urban spread of our major cities and
mobility of our population has also blurred the line
between urban and regional Australia.
While the AAAA understands the merits of
international harmonisation of standards, we believe
that harmonisation should only be considered if the
relevant standard or regulation is appropriate for the
local conditions. Australian driving conditions vary
enormously from European conditions; particularly
the physical and weather environment, the increasing
number of incidents of large native animals on urban
roads, the level and concentration of built up areas in
Europe compared to Australia. These factors all make
Australia a unique driving environment and in our
AAAA
Suite 16, Building 3, 195 Wellington Road
Clayton Vic 3168
Ph: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355
email: info@aaaa.com.au
www.aaaa.com.au
NSW Office
Box 693 Penrith BC
Penrith NSW 2751
Ph: 02 4731 5671 Fax: 02 4731 1171
Email: grahame@aaaa.com.au
Stuart Charity
Executive Director
execdir@aaaa.com.au
PRESIDENT Mr Peter Hein (VIC) – NGK Spark Plug (Australia) Pty Ltd
Ph: 03 9730 4900 Fax: 03 9730 4990
VICE PRESIDENT Mr David Fraser (WA) – Capricorn Society
Ph: 08 6250 9500 Fax: 08 6250 9576
SECRETARY Mr Greg Barker (VIC) – RSP Australia Pty Ltd
Ph: 03 9305 4000 Fax: 03 9305 3520
TREASURER Mr Peter Martin (VIC) – Hella Australia Pty Ltd
Ph: 03 9581 9333 Fax: 03 9584 1741
DIRECTORS
Mr Andrew Schram (VIC) – Burson Automotive P/L
Ph: 03 9914 5555 Fax: 03 9914 5544
Mr Bob Pattison (VIC) – GUD Automotive Pty Ltd
Ph: 03 9243 3333 Fax: 03 9243 3366
COMMITTEE
Mr Peter Armstrong (NSW) – IBS Auto Solutions Pty Ltd
Ph: 02 9892 4004 Fax: 02 9892 2897
Mr David Duncan (VIC) – Dayco Australia Pty Ltd
Ph: 03 9796 4044 Fax: 03 9796 4731
Mr Roger Lassen (SA) – Tenneco
Ph: 08 8374 5212 Fax: 08 8276 1653
Mr Mark Pedder (VIC) – Pedders Suspension
Ph: 03 9706 3500 Fax: 03 9706 3355
Mr Geoff Rosenbaum (NSW) – Motospecs – Drivetech
Ph: 02 9847 5724 Fax: 02 9847 5757
Mr Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) – Fulcrum Suspensions
Ph: 07 3892 9000 Fax: 07 3892 1526
4 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

AAAA
ARB Hobart
5-9 Florence Street MOONAH TAS 7009
Ph: 03 6228 0317 Fax: 03 6278 1175
Auto Parts and Panels Pty Ltd
34 York Street PROSPECT SA 5082
Carportable
PO Box 740 AVALON BEACH NSW 2107
Ph: 02 9974 5137
Eurospares Depot
40 Primrose Street MOONEE PONDS VIC 3039
Ph: 1300 544 371 Fax: 03 9346 8884
L & S Suspension Centre
PO Box 1921 PALMERSTON NT 831
Ph: 08 8931 3565 Fax: 08 8931 3575
part of the world, bull bars are designed to save
the lives of the drivers and passengers of the
vehicle. An impact at over 25 kilometres an
hour with a large native or domestic animal will
result in driver and passenger injury and death.
Whilst some members of the public perceive
these accessories as unnecessary – the
producers, distributors and users of bull bars
know they save lives.
The UNECE regulation would not have
accounted for Australian conditions and
therefore it is our strong view that in this
instance we believe that the Australian
experience is so different that a ‘cut and paste’
policy approach is not appropriate and it is
certainly not acceptable to the Australian
industry.
The AAAA together with representatives
from the bull bar industry had a preliminary
meeting with the Department of Transport in
late April to seek feedback on the timing and
process of consultation and to express the
industry’s concerns. The meeting was very
productive and we have been asked to provide
Australian Automotive
Aftermarket Magazine
is a member of the
Circulations Audit Board.
PUBLISHER –
Stuart Charity,
Executive Director
Australian Automotive
Aftermarket Association
NEW MEMBERS
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket magazine is the official publication of the
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).
Published by
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association
ABN 23 002 271 454
Suite 16, Building 3, 195 Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
Phone: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355 email: info@aaaa.com.au
NSW Office
Box 693 Penrith BC Penrith NSW 2751
Ph: 02 4731 5671 Fax: 02 4731 1171 Email: info@aaaa.com.au
EDITORIAL –
Allan Edwards,
Pole Position Productions
Tel 61 3 9331 2608
Mitchell Bros 4X4 & More
14 Roger Street BROOKVALE NSW 2100
Ph: 02 9905 4764 Fax: 02 9905 4765
MTE-Thompson
AV Moinho Fabrini 1033 Independncia SAO
Bernado Do Campo SAO PAULO Brazil
Performance Manifolds
12 Groves Road GYMPIE QLD 4570
Ph: 07 5483 7367 Fax: 07 5483 7367
Qualelec Auto & Marine Electrical Supplies
PO Box 27 WOOMBYE QLD 4559
Ph: 07 5453 4393 Fax: 07 5453 4385
Velocity Auto Pty Ltd
PO Box 129 LONSDALE SA 5160
Ph: 08 8326 3600
additional information on the size of the
industry, the incidence and cost of animal
strikes and the likely cost of compliance to the
regulation. This data will then be incorporated
into the overall RIS.
I can assure you that the AAAA will devote
appropriate resources and attention to this
consultation process to ensure that the
contribution of the bull bar industry to road
safety and the Australian economy is conveyed
in the strongest possible way to Government.
We will also leverage off our relationships with
other impacted stakeholders such as 4x4 driver
groups, farming, mining, emergency services,
fleet and tourism representative associations
to ensure that they are aware of the
implications of the proposed regulation and
respond accordingly. AAAA members will be
regularly updated on the progress of this
campaign.
Should you require any further information please
contact Stuart Charity in the AAAA National Office
on 03 9545 3333.
ADVERTISING MANAGER –
Janene Champion,
Champion Ads
Tel 61 3 5862 3090
PRODUCTION & DESIGN –
Brigid Fraser,
Possprint
Tel 61 3 9505 0121
CALENDAR
2010
Automechanika Middle East
Dubai
25-27 May 2010
www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
Global TransporTech
9-11 June 2010
Daegu City, South Korea
Automechanika Frankfurt 2010
Frankfurt, Germany
14-19 September 2010
www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
SEMA Show
Las Vegas Convention Center
Nevada, USA
2-5 November, 2010
www.semashow.com
AAPEX Show
Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo
Sands Expo Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
2-4 November, 2010
www.aapexshow.com
APRA BIG R show
Riviera Hotel and Casino,
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 30 - November 1, 2010
www.bigrshow.com
Automechanika Shanghai
Shanghai New International Expo Center,
Pudong, Shanghai, China
8-11 December 2010
www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
Performance Racing Industry Trade Show
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Florida, USA
9-11 December 2010
www.performanceracing.com
2011
Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Melbourne, Australia
12-14 May 2011
www.aftermartketexpo.com.au
Collision Repair Expo
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Melbourne, Australia
12-14 May 2011
www.collisionrepair.com.au
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 5

NEWS
CANBERRA SHOWN THE ROAD
TO GREENER FLEETS
Politicians and bureaucrats have been shown the road to greener fleets after sampling the
very latest LPG Autogas-powered vehicles in Canberra.
The Exceptional Energy Drive Day brought
Canberra decision-makers up to speed on new
LPG engine technology, including the debut
of Orbital Autogas Systems’ Liquid LPG
injection (LLi) system.
Orbital says LLi is a major technological
improvement over other aftermarket LPG
systems, offering much-improved
performance and drivability, combined with
significantly reduced CO2 emissions.
Developed by Orbital engineers at
Australia’s premier engine laboratory, the LLi
system has been tailored to suit some of
Australia’s most popular cars.
Each model-specific application of LLi
undergoes rigorous testing to meet the latest
Australian Design Rules (ADR) for emissions,
resulting in reportable CO2 data for fleet
managers.
Orbital's tests show that converting a
petrol engine with its LLi system reduces CO2
emissions by up to 13 percent.
“Orbital is the only LPG equipment
supplier that has the facilities to do full ADR
emissions testing - and it is the only one
putting its systems through a vehicle typeapproval
program equivalent to those
conducted by car manufacturers,” Orbital
Autogas Business Development Manager, Phil
Westlake, said.
“Importantly for fleet managers, the
greater efficiency of the Orbital system
delivers lower operation costs while making
the most of LPG’s inherently lower carbon
emissions to help fight global warming.”
The LLi system injects LPG into the
engine manifold as a liquid rather than a
vapour, resulting in petrol-equivalent power
and torque outputs, and what Orbital
describes as a flawless driving experience.
Mr Westlake said the performance of the
new generation of LPG-powered vehicles at
the Canberra drive day may have surprised a
few participants.
“I think they saw that the old perceptions
of reduced performance and drivability are
inaccurate when it comes to liquid LPG
injection,” he said.
“The only difference they’ll notice from a
petrol vehicle is in the budget bottom line.
For example, at the current prices of around
$1.25 for unleaded and $0.63 for LPG, an
LLi-equipped Falcon will travel 191 km
further on $50 worth of fuel.”
Mr Westlake said that in addition to
reduced running costs, conversion to LLi
would also reduce vehicle depreciation and
whole-of-life costs.
“Auction results in recent years have
consistently shown that LPG-powered fleet
vehicles are fetching better prices than their
petrol equivalents. I am confident that would
be even more the case for a vehicle fitted with
Orbital LLi.”
SEAT BELT REMINDERS SAVING LIVES
Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP),
congratulated Australia’s car industry for the way it has taken up seat belt reminders as a vital vehicle safety feature.
ANCAP welcomed the increasing
numbers of seat belt reminders in
Australian-made and imported cars, noting
one in five road deaths involve people not
wearing seat belts.
ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, said
ANCAP had incorporated seat belt reminders
into their scoring for a 5-star safety rating
and the industry has responded, with nearly
all current models having at least a driver
seat belt reminder.
“ANCAP is pleased to see this emphasis
on a proven life-saving feature and the fact
the industry is incorporating them into their
production processes,” Mr McIntosh said.
“ANCAP's requirements encourage
intelligent systems that only chime when the
vehicle exceeds 20km/h and the seat belt is
not buckled. This avoids the annoyance of
false alarms when the vehicle is not moving.
“We work actively with manufacturers
from Australia and Asia in ensuring safety
features are a part of today’s new cars, and
it is good to see such an important feature
pretty much standard for the driver.
“The challenge now is to get them into
all seating positions of all vehicles. Rear
seats are often used by children but most
models do not have seat belt reminders for
these seats. Utes and vans are also a
concern,” he added.
ANCAP is supported by all Australian and
New Zealand motoring clubs, all Australian
state governments, the New Zealand
government, the Victorian Transport
Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and
the FIA Foundation.
For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety
ratings, and other vehicle safety information,
go to www.ancap.com.au
6 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

NEWS
KEEPING AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
SKILLS IN AUSTRALIA
The Society of Automotive Engineers - Australasia (SAE-A) has launched a national career transitioning program
to help keep the nation's high level professional engineering skills employed - and keep them in Australia.
Introduced at the 2010 Change by Design
Active Safety Conference in Melbourne,
CareerDrive is a progressive plan that helps
established automotive engineers develop a
satisfying career – and helps graduates and
young engineers begin a career.
SAE-A has consulted widely to develop
CareerDrive and the Victorian Government
supports the program.
SAE-A Executive Director Max Chanter said
CareerDrive is unique because it focuses on
automotive industry professionals and
provides a complete career-transitioning
program.
"In the challenging automotive engineering
field, the SAE-A wanted to take a stand for its
members in securing and maintaining
satisfying and productive employment," Mr
Chanter said.
"The SAE-A does not employ engineers.
But we did design a program to help
Australian automotive engineers remain in this
exciting industry, or at least transition into
secure roles in related industries, such as
aerospace, intelligent transport systems
technology, rail and other forms of mobility
engineering," he said.
Comprehensive careers program
Max Chanter said CareerDrive is based on
a sophisticated online program and also has
plenty of human interface. "CareerDrive takes
users through a series of key steps, which can
be revisited at any time. The user can load
their resume on the system and change it at
any time, they are interviewed about their
need for careers coaching or skills training, we
offer coaching, training and mentoring, and
they can participate in online forums.
"The individual user controls their privacy
and progress. They also gain access to positions
advertised by relevant industry organisations.
"We are grateful to the Victorian
Government for its support. That support
enables SAE-A to offer this new service to
members free of charge," Mr Chanter said.
The SAE-A CareerDrive program is now live on
line at www.careerdrive.com.au, or it can be
accessed through the SAE-A website
www.sae-a.com.au
CARHISTORY.COM.AU LAUNCHED
Veda Advantage’s auto business, Veda Auto, has relaunched its consumer vehicle history research tool and website.
The website is now called
www.carhistory.com.au and provides
vehicle history checks which improve
transparency for consumers and
businesses planning to purchase
used vehicles by revealing known
information about a car’s history.
Carhistory.com.au partners with a
number of online automotive
websites including eBay Motors,
CarsGuide and CountryCars to offer
vehicle history checks on individual
car listings within each of these
websites.
The head of Veda Auto, David
Scognamiglio, said Veda research
shows around 13 percent of used
vehicles checked against the data
on the Carhistory site have
information that indicates the car is
either written-off, stolen or has had
flood or water damage.
Using several industry and
Government databases, each report
includes vehicle details, security
interests recorded on the vehicle, a
written-off or stolen check, current
valuation, odometer checks, sales
listings and safety and emission
ratings.
Reports can be purchased
instantly by entering the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) and
costs $24.95.
For more information visit www.carhistory.com.au
TRW AND TECDOC A PARTNERSHIP
MADE IN HEAVEN
TRW and TecDoc are both global leaders in
their specialisations. TRW is the global leader
in the supply of automotive safety systems
and TecDoc is at the top of the tree in the
field of data presentation within electronic
cataloguing.
TRW and TecDoc have joined forces to create a successful partnership.
TecDoc supplies the spare parts market
with current and comprehensive data for
identifying and ordering parts for both, PC as
well as CV.
With both companies moving forward into
Australia, TRW is committed to supplying all
of its braking, steering and suspension data
into the TecDoc Australian Vehicle Database,
which contains over 6600 vehicles that are
current on Australia’s roads.
For more information call 03 9534 7802
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 7

NEWS
HOT STAFF
FORTY-YEAR MILESTONE FOR
AFTERMARKET IDENTITY
At a special dinner in Melbourne, the
outstanding 40-year career of industry identity
Steve Waterham was celebrated with family,
industry friends and long serving employees of
Brown & Watson International.
Having clocked up 40 years service with the
company it was time to celebrate not only Steve's
role as CEO and leader of the Narva and Projecta
brands but the outstanding development of the
company under his leadership.
Employing an immigrant boy in 1970, Bill
Brown showed an uncanny gift of picking someone
exceptional and Bill and Steve went on to form a
strong personal bond and relationship, which lasted
until Bill's death earlier this year.
"I was lucky to have two fathers, one being my
paternal father and Bill Brown a mentor whose love
and trust in me never wavered,” Mr Waterham said.
It was evident that Mr Waterham also possesses
the exceptional skill of building a team of dedicated
and highly skilled people with many of the 140
staff employed and serving Brown and Watson
International for more than 20 years.
It was a time for reminiscing with many stories
told by leading industry figures of the very personal
nature in which Steve had operated the business
with empathy and understanding of the people
around him. With so many accolades Mr Waterham
humbly responded at the end of the evening with
the comment that he felt he had listened to a
eulogy at his own funeral, which was a great joy and
privilege and he looks forward to his 45th year
celebrations at BWI.
Mr Waterham was presented with a special
timepiece to mark the occasion of 40 years
dedicated service to the company and to the
automotive industry.
DRIVE GREEN
DOCUMENTARY ON
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
CHANNEL
Tips on green driving techniques and technologies are being seen on
television screens in 315 million homes across the world – thanks to
Bridgestone and the National Geographic Channel.
Bridgestone has partnered with the
National Geographic Channel to coproduce
a mini-documentary series
called Drive Green, which is aimed at
inspiring consumers to change the way
they drive to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions.
Topics covered in the three-episode
series include the development of new
fuels, tips on efficient driving techniques
as well as a feature on low-rolling
resistance tyre technology – as found in
the new Bridgestone Ecopia range
recently released in Australia.
“Bridgestone has a strong track
record of educating motorists to think
green through our support of initiatives
such as the FIA’s Make Cars Green
program and our development of lowrolling
resistance tyre technology,” said
Andrew Moffatt, Bridgestone Australia
Senior Executive.
“The Drive Green program is another
important milestone in our ongoing
campaign to educate motorists about the
crucial role tyres play in the impact their
vehicle has on the environment.”
Co-produced by Bridgestone, the first
Drive Green segments aired across 166
countries worldwide in March.
However, all three episodes can
be viewed by audiences in Australia and
New Zealand at www.ngcdrivegreen.com.
“We are delighted Bridgestone has
chosen National Geographic Channel as
its global media partner to promote the
company’s CSR initiative through the
National Geographic Channel network,”
said Jonathan Ellis from National
Geographic Channels Asia.
“Green living is a new lifestyle
attitude, and Drive Green will definitely
become a new motto for consumers.”
Bridgestone also supports National
Geographic Channel in the US and
Canada in its Earth Day campaign.
SIMPLE CHANGE TO
MACKAY PART NUMBERS
Mackay has begun allocating new part number prefixes to
some product categories to assist in easier identification
and product management for everyone.
With existing ‘A’ prefix part numbers
covering Mackay pedal pad, drive
coupling, and exhaust mounting
categories the part number prefix will
change as follows.
Pedal Pads with an ‘A’ prefix will be
changed to ‘PP’ and so the existing part
number A1159 will now be known as
PP1159.
Drive couplings with the ‘A’ prefix
have been changed to ‘DC’ and exhaust
mountings with an ‘A’ prefix have been
changed to ‘EXM’.
The change is only related to the
part number, the product and pricing
remains unchanged.
To keep the change as simple as
possible, Mackay has retained the
existing bar code for the new number.
Therefore customers using bar
coding will need to re direct the existing
barcode to the new number in their
system.
The changes were due to be fully
implemented in April.
For further information
please contact Mackay on
automotive@mackayrubber.com.au
or your Mackay distributor.
8 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

NEWS
MELBOURNE COMPANY PIONEERS
NEW VEHICLE FUEL
Melbourne-based company OES CNG opened Australia’s first public access Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) service station.
The station will introduce the next generation of economical and
environmentally responsible fuel to support Victoria’s motorists.
The use of CNG as a transport fuel has been embraced as a clean
and inexpensive alternative around the world and Australia is one of the
last of the developed nations to adopt it.
CNG is reputedly the fastest-growing sector of the automotive
industry worldwide with annual growth rate of more than 30 percent.
The advantages of CNG include the lowest life-cycle emissions of
any fuel currently available and fuel cost savings of about 65 percent
compared to petrol.
Natural gas is an abundant indigenous fuel that can reduce the
country’s dependence on imported and increasingly costly oil products.
The fuel is marketed as OES CNG SmartGas. The company’s first
Melbourne site has opened in Wells Road, Aspendale Gardens and
OES CNG plans to add another five CNG service stations in Victoria
during the next 12 months.
If overseas experience is any guide, the company sees enormous
potential for this new fuel from private motorists through to heavy
vehicle transport companies. A number of vehicle manufacturers have
already released or announced CNG options in Australia.
OES CNG is training a network of existing LPG qualified installers
to carry out the CNG conversions to exacting standards and all of these
installations have a three year, 100,000km warranty.
The company is offering its first 100 conversion customers free
CNG fuel for a year.
OES CNG Manager, Kevin Black, estimates that eligible customers
The site www.DriveMyCarRentals.com.au
is an online community that directly
connects car owners looking for extra income
and drivers looking for an alternative to
higher priced, traditional car rental
companies that offer little variety in car
choices.
Car owners can choose the length of
time their car is available for – whether it’s
a weekend, a month or a year, and the
price is set automatically for them with a
rate calculator.
They have the right to accept or reject
lease requests and all drivers wanting to
lease a car must provide a full RTA driver
history.
DriveMyCar Rentals is backed by a
comprehensive insurance alliance with
Yellow Brick Road General Insurance
Brokers, offering peace of mind to renters
worried about handing over the keys to
their pride and joy.
DriveMyCar Rentals offers consumers
more makes and models than any car
rental company in the world from sports
cars to classic cars to Harleys, even
caravans, with savings of up to 60 percent
on traditional rental costs.
A sample of some of the vehicles
available on DriveMyCar Rentals includes a
2007 Porsche Boxster for $70 per day,
a 2008 Hummer H3 for $50 a day and a
2002 Mercedes E55 for $50 a day.
“On an average day in Sydney, 185,000
vehicles are left at home by commuters
costing them an average of $10,000 per
using CNG for 80 percent of their travel could save as much as $4500
in the first year.
“This level of saving would more than cover the conversion cost of
approximately $4000 for most six cylinder vehicles,” Mr Black said.
“A payback period of less than a year is pretty attractive.
“Eligible customers will be provided with a card that will entitle
them to fill up at any time for one year from the date of conversion.”
WHEELS OF FORTUNE
A revolutionary new service has launched in Australia called Drive My Car Rentals, that lets car owners reduce the costs
of their vehicle, offset depreciation or just make some spare cash by renting out their ride when it’s not being used.
If you commute to work, travel
frequently or are away from home
for extended periods, your car is
costing more than just
maintenance and upkeep.
year,” DriveMyCar Rentals Managing
Director Daniel Noble said.
“If you commute to work, travel
frequently or are away from home for
extended periods, your car is costing more
than just maintenance and upkeep.
“Depreciation rates can be significant,
particularly in new cars where you can lose
a third of the vehicle’s value before you’ve
driven off the lot.”
Mr Noble said owners could earn as
much as $24,000 a year.
“We also see the service as a great
alternative to selling your car if you’re
undecided or not getting the price you
think it deserves.”
For an annual payment of only $25, the
car is listed on the website with a
photograph, full description and details of
driver requirements.
There is also a premium service
available for members who prefer to have
the entire rental process managed for
them.
10 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

NEWS
ARMOR ALL SWITCHES V8 EVENTS
Armor All has been announced as the naming-rights sponsor of the V8 Supercars’ Gold Coast event.
The AAAA member company was set to
sponsor the V8 event in Townsville, but has
swapped naming-rights sponsorship with
Sucragen, which has a heavy presence in
North Queensland.
With Armor All on board, the Gold Coast
event is now called the Armor All Gold Coast
600.
As part of a major makeover for the event,
V8 Supercars has engaged one international
driver for each of the 18 V8 teams to
compete in the two 300km races.
Armor All Marketing and Channel
Manager, Paul Blair, said the naming-rights
sponsorship swap was a win-win for both
companies.
“Our association with V8 Supercars as a
sponsor at all levels has been outstanding for
our brand and this is another fantastic
addition to the portfolio,” he said.
Mr Blair noted that Armor All has been
associated with the V8 Supercars since
2006 as the only brand offering a complete
car care range.
“This has been a great partnership for the
Armor All brand,” he said.
“Already established in the market place
as a complete car care brand caring for a
vehicle's interior and exterior, it's great to
increase our association with this great V8
Supercar Championship Series event.
“Armor All is a global brand. This is event
will have an international flavour so it's a
great fit for Armor All.”
Sucrogen is Australia’s largest producer
of raw sugar and bioethanol and Chief
Executive Officer, Ian Glasson, said the
Townsville 400 was the perfect way to
rebrand the company from its original CSR
Sugar name.
“We are delighted with the opportunity to
represent North Queensland and thank
Armor All for allowing us to do so at the
biggest event of any kind in our back yard,”
he said.
“Sucrogen stands for sugar and
renewable energy and Sucrogen Bioethanol
is Australia’s largest producer of ethanol
from molasses, a by-product of sugar
production in north Queensland.”
“After some fantastic discussions with
Armor All and V8 Supercars we managed to
come up with a brilliant way for all to reap
the benefits of the Sucrogen Townsville 400
and Armor All Gold Coast 600.”
Armor All also sponsors the Pole Position
Award at every V8 Supercar event this year.
SUPPLY CHAIN DIRECTORY LAUNCHED
The first electronic location directory, connecting purchasers and suppliers around Australia,
was officially unveiled in Melbourne and Sydney in March.
The central registry, known as
GS1Locatenet, will improve the speed and
accuracy of supply transactions and build
traceability in the supply chain.
Recognised as a best-of-breed model of
its kind internationally, the service is now
available to all users of Global Location
Numbers (GLNs) across all industries.
A GLN is a unique 13-digit reference
number used to identify legal entities, like a
registered company, and physical entities,
such as a warehouse or a particular room in
a building.
A GLN is automatically assigned by GS1
Australia to a business when it joins as a
member.
The system was developed for Australia’s
healthcare sector, to facilitate direct
electronic communication between
organisations wanting to source, supply and
trace medical goods, equipment, devices
and pharmaceutical suppliers from the
National Product Catalogue (NPC).
The service is the result of an ongoing
partnership between the National eHealth
Transition Authority, which built the National
Product Catalogue (NPC) with support from
public sector health authorities and GS1
Australia (www.gs1au.org), a member of an
international not-for-profit standards and
services organisation. GS1 Australia hosts
the NPC.
Similar to a telephone exchange, the
database provides a definitive index of
unique GLNs which are used to identify all
legal, physical and operational entities in a
supply chain, with unique identifiers to
distinguish between locations such as
A GLN is a unique 13-digit
reference number used
to identify legal entities,
like a registered company,
and physical entities, such
as a warehouse or a particular
room in a building
purchasing and billing locations, shipping
destinations, eMessaging addresses and
hospital locations.
GS1 Australia Chief Executive Officer,
Maria Palazzolo, said the application is the
most advanced of its kind in the world.
“GS1Locatenet provides the foundation
for the continued growth of the use of GLNs
in Australian supply chains,” she said.
“For Australian businesses it will improve
the speed and accuracy of their supply
transactions, reduce operating costs and
build traceability.”
At the launch in Melbourne today,
NEHTA’s Head of Strategy Andrew Howard
said GS1Locatenet was a major
breakthrough in the development of
Australia’s national e-health system
replacing current manual processes with a
quicker, more accurate method of
transacting with suppliers.
“Receiving the right products, at the right
time and in the right location has enormous
safety benefits for patients, as well as
massive savings for the healthcare
businesses involved,” he said.
“Every year, a number of patient deaths
result from incorrect prescribing. Correct
ordering and timely delivery can significantly
reduce this risk.
“The electronic system also has major
benefits inside a hospital making inventory
management and distribution easier and
improving traceability and recall procedures
for sensitive goods, such as drugs.”
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 11

NEWS
GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE
STAMP OF SUCCESS
Entries are now open for the prestigious 2010 Governor of Victoria Export Awards.
The Governor of Victoria Export Awards is
open to all Victorian exporters, big or small,
new or experienced, with headquarters in
metropolitan or regional Victoria.
There are a total of 12 Award categories,
plus the Victorian Exporter of the Year Award
and the Victorian Export Award for Innovation
Excellence.
Companies may be eligible to enter more
than one award category and winners may use
the Governor of Victoria Export Award logo on
all company material.
All winners are automatically entered into
the Australian Export Awards.
Entries close on 9 July 2010.
Award categories are: Agribusiness Award;
Arts and Entertainment Award; Education and
Training Award; Emerging Export Award;
Information and Communication Technology
Award; Large Advanced Manufacturer Award;
Large Services Award; Minerals and Energy
Award; Regional Exporter Award; Small
Business Award; Small to Medium
Manufacturer Award; and Small to Medium
Services Award.
For more information, contact
Nicole Andrews on 03 9651 9845 or visit
www.export.business.vic.gov.au/awards.
FAG SETS
THE PACE
The FAG wheel bearing with face
spline is among the nominated
finalists for the renowned PACE Award.
This award, which is presented annually by
the Automotive News magazine in cooperation
with audit and consulting firm Ernst and
Young and the Transportation Research Center
(TRC), honors outstanding product innovations
of automotive suppliers.
The new wheel bearing with face spline,
which went into volume production in the
BMW X1, connects the wheel bearing with the
axle journal axially instead of radially. This
leads to several advantages:
The weight of the component is reduced by
around 10 percent while significantly
increasing its capacity to support loads. In
addition, the face spline reduces the fitting
outlay and ensures clearance-free fitting. The
innovative wheel-bearing concept thus has a
positive influence on fuel consumption and
emissions, performance and driving
characteristics as well as operating life and
costs. In short: With the wheel bearing with
face spline, the Schaeffler Group offers a stateof-the-art
product that is more precise, more
lightweight and at the same time more costefficient.
This innovative wheel bearing solution has
won the “2008 Automechanika Innovation
Award” and the “2009 NoAE Innovation
Award” (Network of Automotive Excellence).
Last year, the Schaeffler Group received the
PACE Award 2009 for the LuK dry double
clutch.
For information email
FAG-AS.au@Schaeffller.com
or call 02 8977 1038.
12 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

NEWS
AWARDS LAUNCHED TO RECOGNISE
SUPERSTARS OF E-RETAILING
In an Australian first, a who’s who of the e-retail industry will converge for one spectacular night as the Online Retail
Industry Awards (ORIAs) capture centre stage in Sydney on Wednesday, July 7 2010.
A powerful symbol of the growth of e-
retailing in Australia, the Online Retail
Industry Awards (ORIAs) have been launched
to recognise and reward deserving excellence
in e-commerce.
The inaugural awards night is the only
event in Australasia to honour the leading
online and multichannel retailing performers
across all levels.
ORIAs program manager, Grant Arnott,
said it was a critical time to recognise best
practice in Australian online retailing and to
promote industry development.
"As the fastest growing sector of retail by
a long margin, it's time to recognise
excellence in this exciting channel and we are
delighted to initiate the ORIAs in 2010," Mr
Arnott said.
"The pace at which this industry moves is
amazing, and we continue to see
extraordinary advances by the leaders in the
field. With the online platform providing
relatively low barriers to entry for retailers, a
small entrepreneur with a big idea can
challenge traditional retailers," he said.
Australian online spending is expected to
grow to $32 billion by 2012, according to
Forrester Research, a reality, which has
encouraged our retail community to become
more focused on building and growing their
e-commerce channels and businesses.
"For this industry to thrive, it's vital to
provide retailers with clearer benchmarks and
strategic knowledge to fend off international
competition, with the internet making
geographical borders virtually irrelevant,"
Arnott said.
The crème de la crème of online retailing in
Australia will be awarded the highest accolade
- Online Retailer of the Year - which will be
determined based on achievements in one or
more of ten key categories including Best Pure-
Play Online Retailer, Best Multichannel
Retailer and Best New Online Retailer.
"Our panel of seven expert judges
represent a cross-section of Australian and
international expertise in online retail, and are
attuned to recognising brilliance in all areas of
e-commerce," Mr Arnott said.
"The judges have been individually
selected and will aim to expose the highest
standards of achievement in online retail
operations."
The names of those short-listed in each
category will be announced in May.
For more information visit
www.onlineretailer.net/awards
MSA DOING LEGWORK FOR AUTO’S FUTURE
Technological change is no stranger to
automotive enterprises, but implications
presented by electric and hybrid vehicles,
sustainability and potential legislation stand to
change the nature of workforce skills more
substantially than we have ever seen before in
the automotive industry.
It is issues like these, which MSA is
engaging with industry representatives as it
conducts extensive consultations around the
country. MSA has been visiting employers,
meeting with industry associations, conducting
forums and analysing industry data to ensure
that current and meaningful industry
intelligence will inform its workforce
development priorities.
“It is vital to our work that we know what is
happening on the ground and what employers
need in their workforce,” said Industry
Coordinator, Chris Parish. “Over the last three
months we have seen dozens of local
enterprises and key training providers across
Western Australia, Victoria and central NSW to
discuss training and skilling issues and make
sure enterprises know what resources are
As the fastest growing sector
of retail by a long margin, it's time to
recognise excellence in this exciting
channel and we are delighted to
initiate the ORIAs in 2010
Determining skill needs for manufacturing and servicing the vehicles of the (not so distant) future is a key challenge for
Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) as it develops the training platform for a modern automotive industry.
available to support them.” Further locations
are scheduled for continuing visits.
MSA is keen to help enterprises access
initiatives such as the Enterprise Based
Productivity Places Program, which can provide
up to 90 percent of training costs for targeted
development activity. Enterprises are also
invited to participate in MSA activity through
reference groups, forums, networks and in the
review of the automotive training packages
which house national qualifications for the
automotive industry.
Part one of the AUR05 Retail, Service and
Repair Training Package Review is now
underway with key consultations initially
targeting the skill needs of the marine, bicycle
and outdoor power equipment sectors. MSA will
release a first draft of revised qualifications for
these sectors at the end of April and feedback
will be invited to guide further development.
Current review work will also result in a new
Certificate IV in Loss Assessing, a new preemployment
qualification to encourage entrants
of young workers into the industry, and
inclusion of skills for sustainable work
practices. MSA is leading the charge in the
targeting and integration of work specific,
sustainability skills.
Part two of the review, focusing on the
remaining industry sectors, will commence
after July 2010. MSA is adopting a carefully
staged review process to ensure that industry
is properly engaged and able to participate in
the process.
In other news, MSA has now released its
2010 Environmental Scan document, which
analyses the current issues and workforce
priorities for the automotive industry, along with
the manufacturing sectors within MSA’s
interest area. The scan can be viewed or
downloaded from MSA’s website.
MSA industry co-ordinators Chris Parish and
Patrick Cummings are available to discuss any
views and concerns that industry may have and
are available to work directly with employers on
their skill development needs.
MSA can be contacted on 02 9955 5500
pr for further information about MSA activities
visit MSA’s website www.mskills.com.au
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 13

NEWS
ABS EXPANDS NATIONAL SUPPORT TEAM
The Auto Brake Service (ABS) national expansion program has stepped up a gear with the company
strengthening its support management structure.
“What we’re talking about is putting in
place the right back-up to match our growth,”
ABS’s National Franchise Manager Rob Higgs
said.
“ABS recent expansion now has over 50
stores nationally, and this chain is a
combination of company and franchised
outlets which have a strong position servicing
both trade and consumers.
“With more stores planned to come on
board very soon, it is vital we back up our
support structure with the right people. And
our head office line-up now matches the
challenge.
“Recently – to name only a few – we’ve
taken on proven performers like Peter
Thalbourne, who is ex-Midas and is now our
Systems Development Manager; Darren
Naprelac, who has a huge trade background
as a business owner now works closely along
side franchise stores; and Richard Coppock,
who has over 25-year automotive trade and
retail experience with such brands as
Autobarn and Kmart Tyre and Auto.
“Part of the ABS strategy is recruit
mechanics with business and franchise
support experience who can walk the talk with
automotive minded franchisees.
“It’s all about connecting systems with
industry know-how and it is working,” Mr
Higgs said.
Hands on support is also complemented
by extensive business systems, operational
Marketing and Communications Manager,
Angela Turner, noted that for more than 40
years Futuris has designed and
manufactured automotive seating and
interiors for the industry.
“It’s exciting for us to now be able to offer
the same quality and many of the products
to the Australian public,” she said.
Products available direct include interior
solutions such as seating, interior trims, door
trims, overhead systems, floor carpets and
mats, boot trims, acoustic products, steering
systems, pedal systems and window
regulators.
Many forms of vehicle personalisation will
be offered including electronic safety,
vehicle security, in-car entertainment
The newly expanded national support team now consists of (left to right): Daniel Stewart, Peter
Thalbourne, Renee North, Richard Coppock and Darren Naprelac.
development and marketing expertise through
a competent management team who are in
tune with the automotive culture.
“The ABS formula is ensuring our
expansion program of both the acquisition of
existing businesses as well as the recruitment
of talented operators who need a strong
business model, is full speed ahead. And this
certainly doesn’t rule out acquiring existing
small chains if they suit our needs.
products, accessories, alarms, cargo nets
and boot liners.
Many of these products are backed by up
to a three year warranty and can be
conveniently installed and fitted while a
customer waits at their local automotive
dealership.
As Australia’s largest supplier of seating
and interior systems including all forms of
vehicle personalisation, accessories,
multimedia and safety for passenger vehicles
the Futuris brand (now housed under the
Elders family) has an international
reputation for quality, safety and innovation.
From its global head office and advanced
technology centre in Port Melbourne,
Victoria, the engineering team continues to
“Now with top support from our well
resourced head office, plus added hands on
support based in Queensland this group
continues to prove good business and our
track record is excellent. But we’re not
standing still and the next stage in our
business plan is to become bigger with the
right sites and best people,” Mr Higgs said.
For more information contact 03 8369 1312.
FUTURIS LAUNCHES DIRECT DIVISION
Futuris, the name behind many of the world’s leading automotive brands, has officially revealed its direct to
consumer and automotive dealership division.
design and develop quality automotive
interior solutions.
These include designs for the Australian
vehicle producers, GM Holden, Ford and
Toyota, for seating, door trims, roof and
flooring systems, steering and pedal
systems.
Futuris also provide all forms of vehicle
personalisation, accessories, multimedia,
safety and interior solutions for many
vehicles sold in Australia including GM
Holden, HSV, Toyota, Ford, FPV, Nissan,
Proton, Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, KIA and
Suzuki.
For more information visit
www.futurisjourney.com.au
14 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

NEWS
DRIVING SAFETY ACROSS THE ASIA
PACIFIC AFTERMARKET
TRW Automotive has reaffirmed its pledge to bring affordable safety to the Asia Pacific automotive aftermarket
and help reduce the number of accidents and mitigate the impact of unavoidable crashes through its
comprehensive OE quality parts portfolio.
"At TRW, we believe passionately in the
importance of making safety critical
products accessible and affordable across all
global markets. With our wide portfolio of
active and passive safety systems, and our
global footprint, there is much that we can
do in support of the industry and government
focus on protecting people. We want to play
our part in delivering the safety everyone
deserves," Director of TRW Aftermarket, Asia
Pacific, Alex Ashmore, said.
According to World Health Organization
statistics, approximately 1.3 million people
die each year on the world's roads. The
focus from the industry has made a
significant difference in the last decade
across Europe and the United States of
America where the number of accidents has
remained relatively constant but the
number of deaths has significantly
decreased. In Asia Pacific the rapid
development in some markets means that
sales have nearly doubled, flooding the
markets with new drivers – and continued
development, and reach, for affordable
safety is critical. In more mature vehicle
markets in Asia Pacific the focus from the
automotive industry has also made a big
impact – in Australia 10 years ago, 9.4
people per 100,000 residents were killed
on the road, today this figure has reduced
to 6.9. And in Japan the figure is lower –
4.7 people per 100,000.
With more than 100 years experience of
manufacturing products for vehicle
manufacturers and the aftermarket, TRW has
built its reputation on delivering safety to
both the OEM and aftermarket. Supplying
nearly every car manufacturer in the world
with safety parts as standard, TRW's
comprehensive and expanding range of
aftermarket products for Asia Pacific
benefits from the know-how of delivering top
quality parts to the OEM. Covering the
spectrum of safety critical parts, TRW
aftermarket portfolio of products is separated
into two categories: braking, and steering
and suspension systems.
TRW's aftermarket offering covers every
angle for safety. For drivers, TRW
aftermarket components provide confidence
of like for like OE quality replacement:
drivers know the TRW parts they use to
navigate our roads every day won't let them
down. Customers know that buying a
genuine TRW part means they are receiving
and selling on a good quality part, and
mechanics can be sure of having everything
they need to fit our parts in the box and
technical support when they need it.
Educating drivers and mechanics about
the importance of fitting good quality parts,
and not having cost as the main driver for
choosing an aftermarket part, is also a strong
focus for TRW, in our efforts to promote
safety to the widest possible audience.
Product piracy in the aftermarket is
estimated to cost the global automotive parts
industry eight to 13 billion dollars (US) a
year, but what is the real human cost when
counterfeit goods are fitted for safety critical
applications
TRW is committed to lead the anticounterfeit
issue and is part of the Quality
Brands Protection Committee (QBPC:
www.qbpc.org.cn) and a founding
partner/first mover for the TecIdentify
project. Supported by major automotive
parts companies, this identification system
aims to highlight a fake product in seconds.
For more information email:
jennifer.reid@TRW.com or visit
www.trwaftermarket.com
A NEW FACE TO A FAMILIAR NAME
Precision Tool manufacturer Warren and Brown Technologies has recently opened its new
office and manufacturing facility in Melbourne’s West.
Based in Maidstone the new state-of-the-art facility ensures
the company will continue to grow in the future and continue to
manufacture and supply high-quality Australian made tools for
local and export tool markets.
The W&B brand (including its Scope range of products) is well
respected within industry circles as a trusted and dependable
supplier of quality tools, its flagship Deflecting Beam Torque
Wrench remains the “best in the business” according to Managing
Director Neil Domelow with continuing sales success.
“The new facility is a vast improvement on our old premises,
with more manufacturing and storage space as well as new office
areas; it’s testament to our commitment to supply and promote
Australian made product for many years to come,” Mr Domelow
said.
For further information on Warren and Brown Precision Tools please
visit www.warrenandbrown.com.au
16 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

ADVERTORIAL

NEWS
THE SEARCH FOR APPRENTICE
OF THE YEAR
For the second year in a row, the time has come for automotive apprentices across Australia and
New Zealand to be acknowledged with the Snap-on Tools Apprentice of the Year Award.
The challenge began on April 15, 2010 and
serves to recognise excellence amongst third
and fourth year apprentices in the automotive
industry. Entries close on June 5, 2010.
Last year’s inaugural Snap-on Apprentice
of the Year winner, 24-year-old Nadja
Lenehan from Halls Head in Western
Australia, received over $8000 worth of tools
and product and an exclusive experience at
Summernats.
"My career in the mechanical industry has
changed dramatically since being awarded
Snap-on Tools Apprentice of the Year 2009.
The amount of people that have recognised
me and the work I do is truly rewarding and
still so exciting. The Snap-on product I won
has also made my job a lot easier,”
MsLenehan said.
The award is open to third and fourth year
auto electricians, motor mechanics, spray
painters and panel beaters across Australia
and New Zealand.
“It was a real pleasure to be involved in
the judging panel for the Snap-on Tools
Apprentice of the Year 2009. We had a tough
time getting through all the entries. Nadja
was a great winner, proving to be an excellent
ambassador for the industry. I would like to
challenge more apprentices to have a go this
year,” said Owen Webb, Paint and Panel
expert and Summernats Top 20 judge.
Snap-on Tools will reward the winner from
each field with over $9000 worth of Snap-on
tools, including a Snap-on limited edition
Grafitti Combo (roll cab and top chest), an
ETHOS94 Scan Tool, a 1/2”DR Impact
Wrench, as well as an exclusive Gold Pass
Extreme ticket to Summernats 2011.
“Fulfilling an apprenticeship requires
determination and complete commitment.
Enabling an apprentice to own professional
quality tools from the beginning of their
career encourages them to strive and excel at
their trade”, Snap-on Tools National Sales
Manager, Steve Jones, said.
“Apprentices are a fundamental part of
the automotive industry’s future and will
ensure that a high level of trade skills are
retained in Australia. Investing in apprentices
is an investment into the primary industry we
serve,” Steve continued.
For eligibility criteria and application forms visit
www.snapontools.com.au or call 1800 810 581.
WOMEN AT WORK MAKING
A DIFFERENCE
Manufacturing Skills Australia has announced the launch of a national
study award for women working within the Australian manufacturing
and automotive industries.
The purpose of this MSA initiative is to
encourage the many women in our industries
to engage in furthering their career pathway
through further education and training to
achieve their career qualifications and goals.
MSA recognises and acknowledges the
many high achieving women who have
contributed in many ways within our industry
through their skills and experience.
Our industry women have influenced
workplaces across Australia, especially if
they have entered from another industry
sector, totally changing their careers.
By acknowledging our industry women
and together with the support of their
employer and with MSAs contribution, we
are working together towards fulfilling
attracting more women to choose a career in
the manufacturing and automotive
industries.
MSA will make a contribution of $5000
towards the successful applicants’
course/institution fees.
The outcome of the qualification must be
within the Australian Quality Training
Framework (AQFT), a nationally recognised
course within the Vocational Education and
Training (VET) sector or university pathway
within the MSA coverage as stated below.
Applications are welcome from women
who are currently working in the Australian
manufacturing and automotive industries.
Our industry women have
influenced workplaces
across Australia, especially
if they have entered from
another industry sector, totally
changing their careers.
Enterprises may nominate their female
employee who they believe have added value
to their enterprise/workplace/community
through their own initiative, a joint venture
with others who are passionate about
improving the manufacturing industry or
their employer towards breaking down
barriers for women to choose our industry as
a career choice.
It is anticipated that the successful
applicant and their employer would attend
MSA national conference to receive Women
at work – making a difference Study Award
2010, and to share their achievements and
their future ambitions at MSA’s conference
Growing for Sustainability in Brisbane on
Wednesday August 18, 2010.
The MSA National Women at work –
making a difference Study Award 2010 is
open to women working in any sector covered
by MSA.
Further information about MSA activities
is also available on MSA’s website
www.mskills.com.au
18 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

NEWS
POWER INTO CENTURY’S GIVEAWAY
Century Batteries is supporting its reseller network and helping grow battery sales with the introduction
one of the largest and most exciting promotions seen in the Australian automotive industry.
AUSSIE BUSINESSES WELCOMED TO THAILAND
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
is a government agency that provides
incentives for Australian businesses investing
in Thailand.
These incentives include exemptions and
discounts on various taxes to international
businesses setting up a manufacturing plant
in Thailand.
The program can mean such businesses
receive a 100 percent tax (normally 30
percent of profits) exemption for up to eight
years and then a 50 percent tax reduction for
a further five years.
International businesses can also be
exempted from Thailand’s land ownership
laws that normally make it difficult for
foreign parties to purchase property in the
country.
In an effort to promote regional areas in
Thailand, greater tax incentives are made
available for companies that set up their
manufacturing plants in areas away from
Thailand’s main cities.
The Thailand BOI can also assist
Australian businesses with visas and working
permits.
Thailand BOI Executive Director, General
Administration Bureau, Chitra Kulvanich,
said automotive was one of the biggest
sectors to take advantage of the Thailand
BOI incentive scheme.
The Power into Century’s $100,000
Giveaway promotion offers Australian
motorists the chance to win a life changing
$100,000 in return for purchasing a Century
branded battery.
Until September 26, for every Century
battery purchased from participating outlets,
motorists will receive an entry form to go into
the draw for a chance to win $100,000 cash.
In addition, Century is offering
participating stockists and resellers the
chance to win $10,000 in return for getting
behind and supporting the promotion.
One lucky participating Century stockist or
reseller in each state will be randomly selected
from the entries submitted to win $5000.
In addition, $5000 is available to the
outlet from which the winning consumer
purchased their battery, providing the
opportunity to win up to $10,000.
Tax incentives for international businesses make Thailand perfect Asian base.
The Thailand BOI recently ran a series of
seminars in Australia to explain its program.
Ms Kulvanich said the Thailand BOI has
identified Australian companies as a target
group.
Thailand BOI Senior Investment
Promotion Officer, Investment Marketing
Bureau, Sudakorn Sakiyalak, explained the
advantages of manufacturing in Thailand as
“the workforce, the culture and the strategic
location”.
Thailand is known as one of the best
producers of product in Asia in terms of
quality of production.
A recent survey listed Thailand as number
12 in the world for ease of doing business,
and number one amongst the countries with
English not as their first language.
Ms Sakiyalak explained that basing
themselves in Thailand gives international
companies access to the ASEAN (Association
of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, which
include: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
“In the past companies would focus on
China, but now they are also moving towards
the ASEAN market… the ASEAN population
is big, around 500 million,” Ms Sakiyalak
explained.
The free trade agreement between
The more entries submitted from
participating stores the greater the chance of
winning.
Century’s Automotive Division Marketing
Manager, Allan Woodford, said the promotion
was just one of the many investments and
activities the company has undertaken to
support its reseller network and the Australian
motoring industry.
“This exciting promotion, supported with
an extensive national advertising campaign
will help generate maximum customer pull
through for our reseller network and help grow
their battery business,” he said.
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
For more information on the Power into Century’s
$100,000 Giveaway or to become a Century
stockist, contact your Century Batteries
representative on 1300 362 287.
ASEAN and China gives companies
operating out of Thailand access to the
huge Chinese market.
This allows companies operating in
Thailand to export direct to China without
paying import duty.
The automotive industry in Thailand
makes 1.4 million vehicles, which does not
include Thailand’s Eco Car project. This
will add another 600,000 vehicles over the
next few years.
Many Japanese car manufacturers, such
as Nissan and Toyota have manufacturing
plants in Thailand, with a big focus on
utes.
This means Australian aftermarket
companies that supply the ute and light
commercial market can gain a huge
additional customer base.
One Australian company, and AAAA
member, already taking advantage of this
huge opportunity is bull bar and 4WD
specialist ARB.
The Thailand BOI opened a Sydney office last
year and will happily provide more information
on Thailand BOI programs. Director of the
Thailand Board of Investment, Australia,
Kanchana Noppun, can be contacted by
calling 02 9252 4882.
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PRODUCTS
Don’t wait for winter
to check wipers!
No matter what time of year it is, clear vision for drivers
is an important prerequisite for safety on the road.
Around 90 percent of driving decisions depend
on good vision, so the importance of wiper blades to
ensure a clean windscreen and unimpeded vision,
cannot be underestimated.
Many workshops only check wipers during winter
because it seems like a logical concept for the driver
to grasp: Upgrade or replace the wiper blades
because it’s winter, it’s raining and you will need to
use your wipers more.
However, there are sound reasons for checking
wipers at every service:
• Constant sun light and ozone exposure eventually
cause the wiper rubber to become brittle and crack;
• Extreme temperatures can also damage the wiper
element lip, causing wiper blades to flutter and
rattle at low temperatures, producing streaks;
• Dead insects and other debris thrown up from the
road when driving also contributes to reducing the
performance and quality of windscreen wipers.
All these conditions are constant, year round
factors and are dangerous impediments to drivers. This
is why it’s so important to educate your customers.
Most drivers trust their local mechanic and by
taking the time to explain these factors to your
customers, you might be surprised at their reaction.
By taking an interest in their safety and explaining
the potential dangers of defective wipers, your
customers may actually understand and have no
problem with having their wipers replaced regularly,
no matter what time of year it is.
Bosch recommends replacing wiper blades at least
every 12 months and wiper refills every six months.
For more information on any product in the Bosch
wiper range, contact your local Bosch distributor.
KT continues to release
innovative products
KT Cable Accessories has released further products to its
already hugely successful LED trailer plug range,
including the highly innovative Trailer Car Coil Extension
and Extension leads.
The Trailer Extensions allow the user to have both a
socket on the car and the trailer, by using the Extension
between the two connectors to complete the circuit.
This is very popular among the four-wheel-drive
market as the sockets, when not in use, are protected by
the covers that close over the terminals.
The Trailer Extension Leads allows the user to extend
the length between their trailer and vehicle connections,
allowing flexibility and preventing plug pull out.
“The support to introduce this range has been fantastic.
So many businesses where telling me that they were constantly being asked for the
this style of product, or that they were making them for their customers which was
very labour intensive for little return,” Adam Middleton, KT Cable Accessories General
Manager, said.
Each of the extensions uses the patented designed trailer plugs with the advanced
In Built LED Circuit Tester.
The Magenta Coils have a moulded section where the cable enters the plugs and
sockets making it impossible to apply tension on the cable connections within the
plugs.
The quality and presentation of this range presents a highly sought after profit
opportunity for your store.
For more information call 1300 559 953 or email sales@ktcables.com.au
Attractive fluorescents
brighten Narva range
Two fluorescent lamps in the Narva range will
brighten up the shelves and increase sales for
retailers with their attractive new retail blister
packs.
The single 12V 8W and the twin 8W tube
fluorescent lamps are now available in a full
colour retail blister complete with product and
range information adding two new part numbers
to an already extensive range of LED, fluorescent,
incandescent and halogen interior and courtesy
lamps available from this leading lighting brand.
With dimensions of 410mm long and widths
of 66 and 95mm respectively for the single and
twin lamps, they make an attractive option for the
interior of any caravan; motor home or camper
trailer with their opal lens and handy on/off
switch.
Available from leading automotive retailers the new Narva fluorescents have
recommended retail prices of $36.50 for the single tube and $43.50 for the twin tube
model.
For more information call 1800 113 443.
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PRODUCTS
New Gates part numbers
released
Gates recently released three new idler part numbers and
four new tensioner part numbers into its range. These cover
eight various applications.
Gates has also identifed an additional 12 new
applications from its existing DriveAlign range. These new
applications include: Mitsubishi Magna, Holden
Commodore, Toyota Landcruiser and Toyota RAV4.
Australian conditions are unforgiving on the drive belt
system, and can lead to premature belt failure. Gates
recommends that you change the drive belt tensioner with
every belt change.
When it comes to noise under the bonnet, no part
takes as much blame as the accessory belt drive.
It is often incorrectly assumed that the serpentine belt
is the problem, so a new belt is installed and the problem
is considered fixed. This is only a temporary fix. In
addition to replacing the belt the technician should
investigate the root cause, which may be the automatic
tensioner or idlers.
For additional information about Gates DriveAlign
tensioners and idler pulleys, or to download a copy of the
new Drive Belts and DriveAlign Components Catalogue,
visit www.gatesaustralia.com.au; call 03 9797 9688 or
contact your nearest stockist.
Autolite’s return a sales success
In the short time since Autolite was relaunched into the Australian market it has proven
an impressive performer for resellers.
The top rated US
spark plugs are
among the world’s
leading brands which
are now being
marketed throughout
Australia with national
availability. The
extensive range covers
all popular cars and
light trucks with
Standard Copper,
Double Platinum,
Iridium, Racing,
Xtreme Sports and Start and High Tread developed by Autolite for Ford F series
engines.
And complementing its well-known name is the attractive packaging, which is
another advantage for both trade and retail.
“Autolite is the dominant spark plug in the massive USA market based on its ability
to sell top product at very competitive prices,” Tema’s Mark Luksich said.
“Many Australians watch the various race series on the TV from over there and see
the extensive advertising and promotion this leading plug maker does as well as how
highly USA drivers regard this plug.
“When this brand was relaunched a year ago, what we said to the Australian market
was there are two very definite advantages for resellers: firstly the very real price
advantage and secondly the clever way the range is covered means a far lower
stockholding. And since those two were so well accepted, the market has shown good
acceptance of this excellent plug.”
The Autolite range includes top quality standard plugs for all popular applications
as well as the premium products such as platinum, iridium, racing and specialist plugs.
“Very rarely does a global brand arrive with so much on offer for reseller businesses
to build their profitability. And here is such an opportunity,” Mr Luksich said.
Building on this success, a new comprehensive Australian catalogue is about to be
released.
For more information call 02 9457 9488.
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PRODUCTS
ATAP ‘brake’ into
high-performance
braided hose market
Australian Truck and Auto Parts (ATAP) has
released its stainless steel braided hoses.
High-speed, constant-rapid-gear changes
and heavy braking put great strains on
systems, where failure can be disastrous.
ATAP stainless steel braided hose strongly
resists expansion under higher pressure and
temperature, provides consistent brake and
clutch pedal pressure giving firmer and more
efficient operation without that spongy pedal
feel. Its construction can give increased line
pressure and more responsive and sensitive
brake feel.
The range is suitable for all brake, clutch
and hydraulic applications.
Designed for drivers who would like to
give their street vehicles a high performance
feel and look, it is available with red, black
or blue inserts.
Made to order throughout ATAP
warehouses and distribution network, all
hoses are manufactured to the ADR42/04
standard.
“This is an excellent addition to our
range,” ATAP’s Anthony Goerke said.
“Many drivers who take pride in their
car’s appearance and performance actively
seek out such upgrades. Matching our
braided hose with our Protex Ultra Street
disc rotors, TRW disc pads and high
performance TRW brake fluid makes for a
great brake upgrade package.
“We are well established in this aspect of
our business, having manufactured hoses to
sample for over 20 years and, like everything
in the Protex range, these new hoses and
components are very price competitive.”
For more information contact your
local ATAP warehouse.
NGK Spark Plugs releases its latest
catalogues
NGK Spark Plugs has released its 2010/2011 NGK
Ignition Leads and NTK Oxygen Sensor catalogues.
NGK has perfectly captured its ever-expanding
ignition lead kits and oxygen sensor product range in
these user-friendly catalogues.
These functional catalogues have an effective
layout with easy to reference data for a wide coverage
of vehicle applications in Australia (including local,
Asian and European applications).
NGK Ignition Leads Catalogue
NGK, the world leader in spark plugs also
specialise in developing and producing ignition leads
of the highest quality and durability. The 2010/2011
Ignition Leads catalogue is a comprehensive guide
that not only highlights NGK’s extensive
product/application listings, but also incorporates
beneficial product information, the NGK part number
identification system and installation instructions, to
meet the specific requirements of workshops, resellers
and distributors.
NTK Oxygen Sensor Catalogue
NTK, the world’s largest manufacturer of oxygen
sensors have now incorporated its latest range in a
comprehensive handbook that lists a broad scope of
Australian car park applications, easy to follow
Question and Answer booklet and a visual guide for
accurate identification of sensor connectors.
To find out more about the latest 2010/2011 NGK
Ignition Leads and NTK Oxygen Sensor catalogues,
please contact the NGK Sales and Technical team on 1300 55 40 59.
A knife that's a cut above
Quality tool supplier Kincrome has released a handy utility knife.
Ideal for cutting vinyl, carpet, plaster
sheet, automotive hoses, wire cables and
plastic, this folding utility knife is compact
in size and ideal to fit in your pocket.
Manufactured from a stainless steel construction,
the knife is lightweight and comfortable to grip.
The knife features a spring blade lock release and is easy
to change blades with one press of a button. The knife includes an
integrated belt clip, a hole for hanging and comes with five spare blades.
Replacement blades are also available separately.
The Kincrome Folding Utility Knife is now available from leading
automotive, industrial and hardware stores across Australia with a recommended
retail price starting from $21.95.
For more information and details of your nearest stockist visit www.kincrome.com.au
or call 03 9730 7100.
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PRODUCTS
The perfect
glove box
companion
Professional quality
tools supplier Kincrome
has released this nifty
LED torch ideal for
storing in the glove box of
the car, around the
home or for the great outdoors.
Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this pint size torch
packs a punch with nine bright LED lights for a clear white
illumination.
This tough and durable torch is manufactured from anodised
aluminium, includes a rubber push button at the base to turn the
torch on or off and a wrist strap to secure the torch to the hand.
The Kincrome LED Torch is now available from leading
Automotive, Industrial and hardware stores across Australia and
New Zealand with a recommended retail price of $6.95.
For more information and details of your nearest stockist visit
www.kincrome.com.au or call 03 9730 7100.
Total combat against the elements
No matter how hard we try to keep our precious cars clean, the reality is that if
we drive them they’re going to get dirty.
Unfortunately dust and dirt are not the only substances lurking in the air
– they are also exposed to harsh contaminants such as tree sap, over spray,
industrial fallout and road grime - substances that can now be removed
painlessly thanks to Autoglym.
Autoglym has released the perfect product to combat harsh contaminants
before they cause long-term damage to your paintwork. The Surface Detailing
Clay Kit works hard to remove these industrial and environmental
contaminants, which have bonded with paintwork. In turn it prepares the
paint surface for the application of polishes and waxes.
Paintwork free from contamination should feel as
smooth as silk. If after you have
cleaned your vehicle it feels
more like sand paper you have a
contamination issue and a clay
bar is needed to rectify it. If you
are in doubt, put a plastic bag
over your hand and run it over
the surface of the vehicle. If
there is contamination you
will be able to feel it.
Autoglym’s Surface
Detailing Clay Kit
contains: Surface Detailing
Clay Bar, Rapid Detailer
spray, Super Resin Polish,
Perfect Polishing Cloth and
a microfibre cloth.
The Autoglym Surface Detailing Clay Bar works by grabbing these
microscopic particles and pulling them free from the surface, leaving an ultra
smooth contaminant-free finish.
After using the Surface Detailing Clay Kit motor enthusiasts will find that
their car retains its glossy shine for longer and dirt will be less likely to stick
to bodywork. To achieve the definitive and lasting finish after using the kit,
Autoglym recommends that customers apply High Definition Wax. This will
protect the paintwork for longer and give it a lustrous shine, as well as making
subsequent washing a super-quick task.
Autoglym products are available from Autobarn, Repco and other
leading retail outlets. For more information or to find your local stockist,
visit www.autoglym.com/enau/
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PRODUCTS
Gates timing belt and timing component
kits range expands
In the case of the timing belt system, Gates engineers have determined that belt
failure ‘comebacks’ are often caused by related timing components, such as
faulty belt idler or tensioner pulley, rather than the belt itself.
For this reason, the best way to guarantee a perfect and safe timing belt
system is to change all the timing belts and drive components at the same
time.
Gates timing component kits contain all the critical elements you need
to get the job done right the first time.
Gates is committed to continually adding to our range of kits and has recently released
three new timing component kit part numbers, for the Kia Rio, Kia Carnival and Hyundai Sonata.
Gates has also identified an additional seven new timing belt applications and six new timing component kit applications from our existing range,
including the popular Holden Astra and Ford Courier.
Visit www.gatesaustralia.com.au to use the Gates Online Catalogue, which lists the most up-to-date application and part number information available,
for all Gates product ranges.
For additional information about Gates timing belts and timing component kits visit www.gatesaustralia.com.au or call 03 9797 9688.
Narva's flameless heat gun
A new flameless heat gun, the Narva Micro-Therm, provides the professional
touch with heat shrink on terminals and connector applications in workshops,
household and hobby applications.
Ergonomically designed for easy trigger action, it is fitted with a special
safety locking system to avoid accidental activation. Comfortable in the hand,
the new flameless heat gun reaches a maximum temperature of 650 degrees
Celsius releasing the internal adhesive in the heat shrink to securely bond
both the terminal and cable. The combination of terminal crimping, heat
shrink sleeve plus the adhesive creates a level of strain relief not achievable
with standard terminal types. The application of the gun shrinks the terminal
insulation firmly around the cable releasing strain on the connection and
creating a weatherproof and dustproof seal.
The new Narva flameless gun comes with a heat shield and refillable cigarette lighter, which can be refilled using butane filler gas or replaced
with a standard cigarette lighter. It provides up to 20 minutes overall use before refilling is required.
The Narva Butane Gas Heating Tool Part No. 56392BL, is ideal for use on Narva's extensive range of heatshrink tubing and is available from leading
automotive outlets throughout Australia.
For more information call 1800 113 443.
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PRODUCTS
New ADRAD catalogues
released
ADRAD has recently released its new range of
catalogues, which are the most comprehensive
catalogues ever produced by Australia’s largest
manufacturer and supplier of automotive and industrial
heat exchange products.
The catalogues include the following:
• Adair Air Conditioning – over 3,500 components
and fittings grouped according to make/model
fitment, plus accessories and tools;
• Adrad Industrial – over 5,000 industrial radiator
and heat exchange products with a multitude of
assemblies and parts, plus
custom tanks, cores
and headers;
• Adrad
Automotive –
over 3,500
radiators, oil
coolers
intercoolers,
components,
tools and fluids.
Combined, these
catalogues contain over
1,800 pages of product and
fitment data covering everything a radiator specialist
or auto air conditioning technician needs.
These catalogues are available in printed hard
copy PLUS a convenient CD format with interactive
bookmarks and hyperlinks to rapidly locate products
either by fitment or by using the handy “fast find”
part number index.
For more information call 1800 882 043
BMC Simple Pod Filter
The core function of an air filter is to supply clean air to the engine and keep out dirt,
dust and other materials that are hazardous to the internals of your engine.
While factory standard filters are satisfactory, they are commonly made from
paper or foam, primarily because they are cheap to produce. As a result, they
will generally only a short lifespan and allow for only a low airflow volume and
basic filtration, which can result in a loss of power and fuel economy.
The unique BMC four ply special cotton gauze filtering element traps even the
most minute particles ensuring maximum protection from dirt and dust, petrol
fumes and oxidisation while also allowing for maximum air-flow, power gains and
improved fuel consumption.
BMC high-performance filters are superior in strength thanks to their unique
Full Mould single stamp with no welded joins, with a specialised rubber
compound.
For more information visit your nearest Autobarn or Performance Workshop or contact
the distributor Link International on 07 3382 5000.
Narva buzzes alarm
For more information call 1800 113 443.
A small yet powerful buzzer has been released by Narva to
provide audible alarm signals.
Suitable for 12 and 24 Volt applications and with a
90 decibel rating it is ideal for use with indicators or
to provide warning alarm signals for engine faults
such as low oil pressure.
The new light weight Narva Buzzer has push
on terminals for easy wiring connection and is just
50mm x 40mm in size. A single mounting hole
enables it to be easily mounted within the cabin or
under a dash.
Available from leading automotive and transport
outlets the Narva Buzzer Part No. 72550BL is blister
packed and has a recommended price of $15.50.
Gates releases new radiator hose part
numbers
Gates has released 24 new radiator hose part numbers for 12 popular vehicles, while
also identifying an additional five new applications from its existing radiator hose
range.
The new part numbers are suitable for various applications including the popular
Ford Territory, Holden Commodore, Mazda 6, Toyota Landcruiser and Hyundai Getz.
The primary cause of coolant hose failure is an electrochemical attack on the rubber
compound in the hose. The effects of ECD are not unique to the top or bottom hose only.
ECD impacts on the entire system of coolant hose.
As such, if one coolant hose needs replacement due to ECD, it is highly likely that all other coolant hose will need replacement. Gates strongly
recommend a complete coolant hose replacement service for your customer's vehicles.
Visit www.gatesaustralia.com.au to use the Gates Online catalogue, which lists the most up-to-date application and part number information
available, for all Gates product ranges.
For additional information about Gates radiator hoses visit www.gatesaustralia.com.au or call 03 9797 9688.
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PRODUCTS
The Bosch Battery Catalogue is now available
To support the recent launch of the new Bosch battery program the new battery catalogue is now available.
The new Bosch battery catalogue features a full application listing for ease of identifying the right Bosch
battery for every vehicle. It also features technical specifications for all batteries and includes valuable technical
information and frequently asked questions, to ensure workshops have all the answers they need, in one easy to
access source.
The Bosch battery range consists of three performance levels to suit the varying needs of modern cars,
providing comprehensive market coverage, within a compact program.
With extremely high capacity and cold-start currents, Bosch batteries provide reliable starting power in virtually
any outside temperature. Innovative Bosch Silver Technology assists in making them resistant to high temperatures
in the engine chamber. At the same time, water consumption and corrosion are significantly reduced. This
translates into minimum self-discharge, extreme tolerance for short-distance driving and perfect operational
safety throughout their entire service life.
The new Bosch battery program has the right battery for most automotive applications.
For a copy of the new Bosch Battery Catalogue please contact your local Bosch battery distributor
or call Bosch Customer Service on 1300 30 70 40.
Top notch cargo barrier maker releases towbar
Milford Industries, an Australian owned and operated business, has successfully designed, tested and manufactured its unique range of Vehicle Load
Restraint (VLR) products to the highest possible standards for more than 40 years. Milford has the largest range of VLR products worldwide with a range of
more than 200 Cargo Barriers and Safety Nets to suit all manner of passenger, light commercial and sports utility vehicles.
Famous for its world-beating Cargo Barrier products, Milford have now focussed its resources on developing a safe, strong and value-laden towbar
range for fleet, heavy duty and family use.
Fleet operators and end users want nothing less than towbars exhibiting high performance and quality, so Milford towbars have been designed
and tested to meet the exacting demands of AS4177. Rugged performance and the highest quality materials are essential when considering a
vehicle's towing needs, Milford towbars are engineered to meet the most demanding
expectations and finished in order to compliment the aesthetics of all modern vehicles.
Every Milford towbar is designed to be installed quickly and efficiently. Easy to follow
instructions included with all Milford towbars set a new standard in installation convenience.
Importantly, Milford Towbars not only deliver in the important categories of dependability,
appearance and installation but also provide the maximum level of competitive value. What's
more, every towbar is manufactured to exacting specifications within the same manufacturing
facility that produces Milford's world renowned Cargo Barriers - right here in Australia!
Peter Walker, company Sales Manager, says "Milford towbars are superbly engineered,
manufactured under best practice conditions, attractively finished and represent exceptional
value for money".
For further information call 08 8377 6925 or visit www.milford-auto.com
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PRODUCTS
A new era begins: Serpentine belt diagnostics
One out of five vehicles needs a new belt*. That's an astounding fact when you consider that there are over 15 million vehicles on the road today in Australia
and New Zealand.
Since the late 1990s, auto manufacturers
have phased out Neoprene belts and begun
installing EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene
Monomer) belts on new models. With this new
belt construction comes a new era of
diagnosing belt wear.
EPDM is a superior technology with better
performance characteristics but, like any wear
part, these belts don't last forever. It can be
harder to detect when these new belts are
worn, because as EPDM belts age, they don't
show wear the same way as Neoprene. To help
professional technicians accurately diagnose
belt wear in EPDM belts, Gates has developed
a Belt Wear Gauge to help identify and
recommend belt replacement at the
appropriate time.
Older Neoprene belts have a life
expectancy of 80,000-100,000kms, and as
they wear out, cracks and chunk-outs will
occur. EPDM belts rarely show these
symptoms, even at very high kilometres. As
EPDM belts age, they gradually lose rubber
material - similar to the way tyres wear out.
Over a period of 160,000 kilometres, a belt
can lose up to 10 percent of its rib material.
While this may not seem like a lot, the
consequences can be significant.
The diagram below shows how EPDM belts
wear as they age. Although the ribs have not
become shorter, material has been lost in the
valleys of the ribs (indicated in red), making the
space between ribs wider. As more material is
lost, the pulleys ride deeper into the belt valleys
resulting in slip, noise and hydroplaning. With
sufficient material loss, the pulley ribs "bottom
out" in the valleys and ride on the belt cord.
This reduces the surface contact on the valley
sides, where the traction is generated. Wear also
increases the effective belt length, lowering the
tension in the system, which also reduces
traction.
Old Belt
New Belt
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Although EPDM belts do not tend to crack
with age, they can still exhibit other symptoms
that are caused by problems with the accessory
drive - such as tensioner misalignment or
failure, pulley misalignment, excessive heat, or
bearing failure in one of the other components.
If the belt exhibits abrasion, cracking, glazing or
pilling, it needs to be replaced. If it fails, it
could damage other system components in
addition to stranding the motorist. Many
warranty-claim failures on alternators and other
parts are actually caused by worn or improperly
adjusted belts.
Accessory belt drive system
problems caused by a worn belt
Belt slip - loss of traction
Like a tyre, a worn belt can lose traction
(slip) on the pulleys, particularly in high-load
and/or wet conditions. Slip can cause
belt/pulley temperatures to rise by up to 50
percent - leading to early accessory bearing
failure.
Hydroplaning
This occurs when water cannot be effectively
channeled away between a worn belt and the
pulleys. The belt then ‘hydroplanes’ on a film
of water, resulting in loss of power transmission
to the accessories. This can often result in the
‘check engine’ or ‘alternator charging’ warning
lights to come on.
Elongation
Material loss can also cause a change in the
effective length of the belt, which can move the
tensioner beyond its take-up range. This will
reduce overall system tension, also lowering
accessory performance.
Misalignment
Misalignment wear can also be an indication
that the internal components of the tensioner
have failed.
Material loss and subsequent changes to
effective length on belts can also cause belt
slip, resulting in noise, vibration and high heat,
which can damage accessory bearings and
cause accessories to fail.
When to replace serpentine drive belts
When making other accessory drive repairs
If you're already making an accessory drive
repair, it makes sense to recommend
replacement for a belt with significant mileage
- essentially, the labour is free for the customer,
future problems are prevented, and your profits
are higher.
As preventive maintenance
If your customer's vehicle is already in
your shop, and has 100,000 or more
kilometres of service on the belt, you should
consider recommending belt and tensioner
replacement.
A worn tensioner can contribute to
premature belt failure and subsequently affect
the efficient operation of the drive components,
i.e. A/C compressor, alternator, power steering
pump and water pump.
It is also important to check the pulleys for
abnormal wear and check pulley alignment.
It's a relative inexpensive addition to the
repair order and a wise preventive maintenance
recommendation.
When you see obvious signs of wear
If the belt shows signs of pilling, glazing,
cracking or misalignment damage, it needs to
be replaced.
Get your new Gates Belt Wear Gauge for free,
by emailing your delivery address details
to southpacsales@gates.com.
For more information about serpentine belt
diagnostics, visit www.gatesbeltwear.com or
call 03 9797 9688.
*According to the U.S. Car Care Council
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 29

PRODUCTS
Milford MXV-70 Cargo Barrier
Milford has always been the clear leader in vehicle load restraint devices. For more than 40 years, Milford has
successfully designed, tested and manufactured its unique range of products to the highest possible standards.
During this time, the Milford name has become synonymous with the Cargo Barrier product. Always the
innovator and leader, Milford are proud to announce the release of a major breakthrough in technology, the
all-new MXV-70 Cargo Barrier.
The MXV-70 is the result of an intensive Research and Development program and features
Milford's newly patented, "Load Arrest Technology". As a result, the MXV-70 delivers a certified
Cargo Barrier rating in a 20g impact test to a new, industry setting standard of 70kg.
The MXV-70 provides a high strength to weight ratio and in some cases it may also be lighter
than traditional designs. MXV-70 has also been the subject of an intensive, aesthetic design
program and as a result it integrates well with modern vehicle interiors.
While the MXV-70 family of Cargo Barriers all share the same level of high performance and
rugged good looks, there are some specific elements of difference depending on the vehicle
category for each particular application. For example, most 4WD, SUV and LCV applications
feature a new and unique 2-piece design. This design maximises performance, aids installation
and also decreases shipping and warehousing costs.
MXV-70 delivers the highest level of occupant protection possible coupled with the added benefits of enhanced ergonomics and aesthetics to
provide a new force in Cargo Barrier technology.
“The MXV-70 heralds a new era in vehicle load restraint and occupant safety. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia, the MXV-70
Cargo Barrier delivers on all fronts,” Milford Sales Manager, Peter Walker, said.
For further information callon 08 8377 6925 or visit www.mxv-70.com
Stylish accessory socket from Narva
A stylish new surface mount accessory socket from Narva makes installation a breeze.
Featuring a modern style white plastic housing, the new Narva accessory socket can
be conveniently mounted either internally or externally as it includes the added
protection of a dustproof rubber cover.
With many modern caravans and recreational vehicles built today with thinner walls
and plastic mouldings, the white surface-mounting socket provides the ideal mounting
solution as opposed to traditional sockets requiring deeper cavities for mounting and
wiring.
The new Narva Surface Mount Accessory Plug takes all types of cigarette lighter
plugs used on a wide variety of accessories. It is available from leading automotive
outlets throughout Australia under Part No, 81025W in a retail display pack or in bulk
cartons with an approximate recommended retail price of $18.
For more information call 1800 113 443.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 31

PRODUCTS
Ryco oil filter performance now tops 8000 applications
Australia’s leading filter specialist, Ryco, has announced its oil filter range continues expanding faster than any other brand with over 100 new applications
added to the Ryco oil filter range since the last catalogue was released. It now totals over 8000 applications, which, the company says, is due to its industryleading
resources.
“Clearly our investments in local expertise that concentrate on
the needs of the Australian market, result in us offering the
biggest range of top quality filters,” Ryco Marketing Manager,
Ross Lamb, said.
“And this success is very much the result of our products
concentrating on performance and quality as much as the biggest
range – the three vital things the trade need most.
“The factors which are driving the success include our
impressive in-house product development team that boasts
Australia’s only dedicated filtration laboratory. This means we can
guarantee to meet or exceed OE criteria for a huge range of filter
applications and do so with our own high standards of long-term
performance. And that enables us to have the best warranty that
is fully backed.
“Ask yourself, wouldn’t your customers be happy to pay a little
more now on great performing Ryco oil filters rather than a lot
more later on a new engine Using good quality parts ensures you
keep your customers a lot longer so improving your profits. Smart business.
“We’ve spent years building the Ryco name and our continued success ensures we can re-invest in passing on the many benefits. Very much a case
of performance, protection and quality continues to build our market leadership,” Mr Lamb said.
For more information call 03 9243 3333.
Ryco’s high performing oil filter (left) will make sure your engine is always protected by allowing
clean oil to pass through to the engine at all times when a poor performing filer (right) clogs
quickly and allows unfiltered oil through the bi-pass valve and into the engine.
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PRODUCTS
Rust and corrosion is costing Australia $13 billion a year!
The CSIRO estimates that the annual cost of corrosion in Australia is $13 billion.
Corrosion is caused by the interaction between metals, water and
oxygen. Corrosion oxidises the metal and produces rust (on iron) or the
dusty material you can rub off – for example like that on an aluminium
window frame. Salt greatly accelerates corrosion so metals near or on the
ocean are particularly vulnerable. As most of Australia’s large cities are
coastal, corrosion is a major problem. An additional associated cost is
that to the environment and health from using corrosion inhibitors. These
compounds are highly toxic (carcinogenic and mutagenic) and so their
use is being phased out as 'friendlier' alternatives are found.
CouplerTec systems are used and recommended by Surf Life Saving
Clubs throughout Australia, local, State and Federal Government
Department vehicles and by some of the world’s largest mining companies
on fleet vehicles exposed to some of the most corrosive environs on the
planet. CouplerTec can protect your vehicle from rust!
There’s a CouplerTec system to suit every vehicle. Systems are priced
from just $350.
The CSIRO reports that its Corrosion Science and Surface Design
program aims to understand corrosion processes and engineer new coating
materials. This will be achieved by characterising and modelling the
degradation mechanisms of metals and coated products.
Did you know that the rusting process can be stopped, and for existing
rust, the process can be slowed dramatically
With more than a half of million CouplerTec systems sold worldwide
and multiple international patents, this unique capacitive coupling
technology is acknowledged as the very best in the world. And it’s
Australian!
CouplerTec is an Australian company with multiple international
patents on its tried, tested and proven (for motor vehicles) capacitive
coupling, electronic rust proofing systems.
For more information free call 1800 068 088 or visit
www.Couplertec.com.au
The right tool
for the job
Hot Devil’s comprehensive range
of butane powered torches and
soldering irons has the right tool
for all DIY purposes.
Hot Devil’s seven in one kit is the
perfect solution for all DIY needs. The
slimline torch burns at 1300 degrees
while the hot blow is 500 degrees and
the soldering tip reaches 400 degrees. This handy kit includes a slimline
soldering iron, four assorted tips, resin core solder and a cleaning
sponge, tray and stand all in a protective case.
For more information call 03 9775 0713 or visit www.hotdevil.com.au
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 33

PRODUCTS
Take your tools
direct to the job
Take your tools direct to the job with this
handy Mobile Utility Tool Bag by Kincrome.
Ideal for storing a range of small to large
size tools including power tools this utility
bag is the 'take anywhere' accessory for
any tradie.
This tough and durable bag is easy to
carry with your choice of twin carry
handles and velcro grip or a padded
adjustable shoulder strap, or if things get
too heavy, the bag also includes a
concealed extendable handle and tough
rubber castors to make it mobile.
The tool bag features 14 pockets and
large storage well. On the outside includes
six sealed external pockets with two zipped
and four fastened by Velcro for quick
access, while the inside pockets include
seven large pockets and two drill holsters.
Manufactured from heavy-duty vinyl
the bag features heavy-duty zippers and
fasteners and plastic base protectors for
additional strength and rigidity.
The Kincrome Mobile Utility Bag is
now available from leading Automotive,
Industrial and hardware stores across
Australia and New Zealand with a
recommended retail price of $99.
Motul oil gets the job done
Motul's best-selling engine oil, 4100 Turbolight 10W-40, is great value.
It is a multigrade oil suitable for leaded, unleaded, turbo and
supercharged, diesel oil and liquefied gas engines. 4100 Turbolight
improves cold-start-ups and protects the engine all year round. Specifically
designed for high performance engines and all driving conditions, the
synthetic based stock provides high lubricating power and protects the
engine for intensive use.
Motul 4100 Power is specially designed for high performance engines,
all gasoline or diesel engines, turbo or naturally aspirated, multi-valve, with
or without injection, with or without catalytic converter. It is also suitable for all types of fuel including
unleaded, diesel and LPG. 4100 Power offers anti-oxidation properties that maintain a constant viscosity
avoiding sludge and deposits in the engine block, anti-wear properties and dispersant power. The
synthetic base stock provides high lubricating power and protects perfectly the engine while in intensive
use on road, highway or in town. The high performance anti-wear additives result in reduction of engine
internal friction greatly increasing engine life. High viscosity at high temperature (SAE 50) is fully
adapted to engines prone to oil consumption. Very effective anti-deposit and anti-black sludge properties
keep the engine clean, along with anti-oxidation, anti-corrosion, anti-foam properties.
Motul 6100 is specially designed for high performance and late model cars. It provides reduced
friction at high temperature and is suitable for all types of petrol and diesel engines using leaded,
unleaded, diesel or LPG fuels. The reinforced synthetic base stock provides a very high lubricating
power, which reduces frictions decreases the volatility and ensures resistance to very high temperatures
reached in modern engines. Cleaning properties also reduces sludge and engine deposits and also
include anti-oxidation, anti-wear, anti-corrosion and anti-foam properties. Motul 6100 is used by Gas
Motorsport in their Toyota Camry 2JZ GTV drag car, with horsepower figures of 1800hp. Created using
Motul’s advanced synthetic technology, Motul 8100 X-cess 5W-40 offers excellent film strength that
prevents dry start-ups, reduces engine friction, maintains oil pressure and decreases the operating
temperature. It is great for street and occasional track use, enjoys longer than typical drain intervals and
has outstanding detergent dispersants properties that ensures a cleaner engine. All Motul oils are
available to motoring enthusiasts from your local Autobarn, Repco or performance workshop.
For more information visit www.linkauto.com.au or
call Link International on 07 3382 5000.
Checked your tyres
lately
For more information and details of your
nearest stockist visit the Kincrome
website www.kincrome.com.au or call
03 9730 7100.
Orange TPMS offers a comprehensive wireless solution
for tyre monitoring with both pressure and temperature
displayed on screen for each wheel.
Orange TPMS is suitable for all four-wheel passenger
vehicles.
A 2007 SEMA Award winner for Best New Product,
Orange TPMS offers real-time monitoring with a RF
Wireless with a patented integrated antenna, military
specification 3.6v lithium batteries in the wheel sensors.
High and low warnings are displayed by both visual
and audible tone.
Orange TPMS is suitable for your daily driver through
to your four-wheel-drive to your race car.
All styles of driving rely on the final point of contact
with the ground through your tyre and providing constant monitoring will alert you to any change
in the pressure or temperature of your tyres.
To find your nearest Orange TPMS Dealer, contact the Australia Distributor Link International on
07 3382 5000 or email OrangeTPMS@linkint.com.au
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PRODUCTS
New black steel vices
raise the standards
Australia’s leading industrial distributor, Pro Quip, has announced the
Australian launch of the range of Black Steel vices. These top-of-the-range
Indian vices have become top sellers around the world where they have
established a reputation for quality
and durability.
In Australia,
the range
includes 100 to
200mm jaw sizes
in a variety of
conventional and
offset layouts. As
well as its unbreakable
malleable cast iron
construction, the leading features include: built-in anvils, chromed
screw thread and lever, oil points for sliders and replaceable levers.
They are backed by an unconditional warranty.
“Black Steel is one of the world’s leading makers of top quality vices
including their new quick-release engineers model,” Pro Quip’s Martin
Haines said.
“And what this means is a top professional product at a very
competitive price.
“We’ve got the range and the national distribution to ensure this top
product gets the right backing. Definitely a case of a top tool at a very
good price,” Mr Haines said.
For more information contact Pro Quip on 03 9761 1110 or
www.proquip.com.au
New Bosch Glow Plug catalogue
now available
The 2010 Bosch Glow Plug Catalogue is now
available. With a comprehensive range
coverage of European and Japanese vehicles,
the new catalogue features new product for
popular applications such as the Nissan ZD30
and RD28T, the Kia Sportage and Sorento,
and the Ssangyong Rexton.
For ease of ordering, the new Bosch Glow
Plug Catalogue includes a visual
identification guide, featuring to-scale
photographs of each glow plug in the range.
Comprehensive cross reference data as well
as Duraterm options on selected Japanese
applications are also included. Bosch Duraterm glow plugs offer superior
starting performance, reduced emissions and longer service life.
Bosch is one of the leading suppliers of glow plugs to the OE sector. Our
glow plugs incorporate the latest technology and are manufactured to the
highest standards, to ensure superior quality and outstanding reliability.
For a copy of the new Bosch Glow Plug Catalogue please contact your local
Bosch distributor or call the Bosch Customer Service Centre on 1300 307 040.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 37

PRODUCTS
The ultimate resource
for tools
One of Australia's leading tool suppliers, Kincrome
Tools and Equipment, has released its new product
guide for 2010.
Published in full colour the product guide
includes a comprehensive range of products with
more than 200 new and over 1600 part numbers
listed in total. Simple to follow with colour coded
sections for ease of navigation, large colour
photos for quick and easy reference, detailed
product information and specifications, and a
comprehensive product index listing, the product
guide is an extremely useful resource for retailers.
Kincrome has grown its product range
significantly over
the past 12
months with new
hardware ranges
including the
a l u m i n i u m
storage range,
multi-storage
cases and has
revitalised the
Finkal range.
K i n c r o m e
has also
introduced new
a u t o m o t i v e
ranges including
revitalising the Kincrome Blue Steel range of
storage and tool chests which now include EVA
foam trays, new LED worklights, workshop fans
and have extended the workshop lifting and
storage range. Most importantly, Kincrome has
extended its brand and product offering releasing
a new range of automotive, hardware and
agricultural equipment.
Kincrome has also made it easy for retailers
and end-users to access the product guide by
making it available to view online in an easy to
use page-flip format or to download as a PDF as
a complete document or by product section.
The 2010 Product Guide is another milestone
for Kincrome, showcasing the ever growing range
of Kincrome products including both core and
new and innovative product ranges.
The Kincrome Product Guide is a handy
product reference for retailers looking for a
diverse product range with good, better best
brand offerings all backed by exceptional sales
and customer service.
For more information or a copy of the Kincrome
Product Guide visit www.kincrome.com.au or call
03 9730 7100.
New Bendix commercial vehicle range
Continuous development sees Bendix extend heavy-duty light commercial vehicle range of brake
pads.
Ongoing developments within market
leading brake pad manufacturer Bendix, is
proving beneficial to the trade who can now
offer the latest range extension of long
lasting heavy-duty brake pads for light
commercial vehicles (LCVs).
As an internationally trusted brand, more
and more fitters are specifying Bendix
heavy-duty brake pads to meet the demands
of heavy workloads and high temperature
conditions of commercial vans, pick-up
trucks and utes operating in demanding city traffic or under heavy load conditions such as
construction sites.
The result of Bendix global research and development is a range of specially formulated pads
that last up to twice as long as all-purpose brake pads in these conditions.
Using the slogan 'put your foot down with confidence' the new range is proving a winner for
fitters and customers alike with 29 new part numbers covering the most popular light commercial
vehicles such as Daily, Transporter, Sprinter, Vito, Master, Titan, Hi-Lux, across a wide range of
marques from Europe, Asia and the USA.
Advanced technological features are built into many of the LCV Bendix heavy-duty pads in
the program such as 'Insulayer', an exclusive insulation layer which allows the pads to operate
effectively in high temperatures, improving fade with longer rotor and pad life. The same applies
to a Titanium Stripe built into some part numbers with benefits for the trade and driver such as
no requirement for bedding in, less down time, instant pedal feel from the first stop and overall
customer satisfaction.
To keep abreast of the continuous range development with on-going new part number releases
Bendix has the latest 2010/11 data book available plus an updated website www.bendix.com.au
with all new listings.
Information is also available from the Bendix Brake Advice Centre
on 1800 819 666 or 03 5327 0211.
Award winning Narva Power Cup makes
connections easy
Narva's award winning Power Cup,
designed to fit into a standard vehicle cup
holder and plug into a cigarette lighter
socket, facilitates easy connections to
power a range of accessories.
The convenient Power Cup has twin
USB ports commonly used for electronic
items such as MP3 players, Digital
Cameras, GPS Navigation Systems etc. It
also has two illuminated standard accessory sockets.
Suitable for 12-volt applications, the unit is fuse protected and comes fitted with a
two-metre spiral lead and plug. It is rated at eight Amp and is also fitted with four LED
battery indicators.
Available in an attractive blister pack from leading automotive accessory outlets
throughout Australia, the Narva Power Cup Part No. 81056BL has a recommended retail
price of $39.
Additional details can be found by visiting the Narva website at www.narva.com.au
or call National Toll Free 1800 113 443.
38 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

PRODUCTS
CTEK provides mobility
Professional and workshop users can
now move with ease while charging or
maintaining batteries thanks to CTEK's
new Multi XS 25000 Extended Smart
Charger, which features extended sixmetre
cables designed specifically with
professional users in mind.
According to the American
Automobile Association, a federation of
affiliated automobile clubs, as many as
one in five vehicles enter a workshop for
service due to battery-related fault. As
such, CTEK recognised there has never
been more need for garages to offer
better battery charging that could be
carried out easily, either as a stand-alone
operation or as part of regular servicerelated
checks.
The CTEK Multi XS 25000 Extended
Smart Charger is a compact and robust
solution that offers workshops greater
ease when undertaking battery charging
or maintenance. The 25 amps battery
charger comes with a six-metre cable and hanging bracket that allows
the charger to be used wherever it is needed – including outdoors.
Safe and simple to use, the smart charger ensures that its user has
constant control over charge levels and can be left attached to any
battery indefinitely. It also acts as a secure and 'clean' 12V power
source for the vehicle when the battery is disconnected from it.
The patented CTEK system maintains optimum charge levels to
extend battery life and to ensure that vehicles are able to start first
time. As with all chargers in the CTEK range, the Multi XS 25000
charger comes with the unique 'set-and-forget' function where the
charger recognises a fully charged battery and delivers a pulse only
when battery voltage drops, so there is no need to regularly connect
and disconnect batteries.
"With many vehicles, both old and new, being sent in to workshops
for battery problems, a CTEK charger is a vital addition to today's
workshop. Ensuring a car battery performs at its best and fulfils its life
span requires maintenance, good care and the proper charger. The
CTEK Multi XS 250000 Extended enables professional users to provide
this invaluable service in a quick, easy and convenient way," CTEK
South Pacific's Sales and Marketing Manager, Stina Wahlqvist,
commented.
For more information, or to find your nearest stockist, visit www.ctek.com
New Nismo
products
The Nismo Iridium Spark Plugs
NGK, which has been designed for
high-output, high-rev sports car
engines, is able to withstand the
loads generated by such high
power, and guarantees reliable
ignition.
The plugs are available in the
six or seven heat range. The use of
iridium alloy dramatically increases
ignition performance, creating
much more complete combustion
and resulting in both increased power and response, which helps to realise
the full potential of the engine.
Another innovative product is the Nismo radiator cap. This is a heavyduty
radiator cap, which operates at 18.2 lbs (1.3 kg/cm) compared to
12.6 lbs (0.9 kg/cm) non-turbo and 16.8 lbs. (1.2 kg/cm) turbo Nissan OE
stock caps.
This radiator cap is made specifically for vehicles that need more
cooling than the stock radiator cap provides. The Nismo radiator cap fits
all Nissan and Infiniti vehicles manufactured from 1984 to present.
For more information visit your nearest Autobarn, Repco or Performance
Workshop or contact the distributor Link International on 07 3382 5000.
Combining style with greatly
enhanced performance
Four attractive Narva interior lamps have received upgrades to
incorporate the latest high performance one-Watt LEDs. Coupled with
improved optics the change has resulted in double the light output and
overall performance enhancement.
The stylish round and oval lamps come in white or silver satin
finish, complementing interior designs of campers, caravans, motor
homes and boat cabins. Each lamp is supplied with a spacer plate
providing options of either surface or flush mounting.
Pre-wired for ease of installation the lamps also incorporate on/off
micro switches activated by simply pushing the face of the lamp.
The switches can also be by-passed by hard wiring directly to a
standard light switch.
The two round lamps in the range have the additional option of
a black or chrome faceplate and mounting spacer.
Available from leading automotive, camping and marine outlets
in bag or retail blister
packaging, the
upgraded Narva interior
lamps come with
recommended retail
prices starting from
$29.
For more information call
1800 113 443.
40 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

TECHNICAL COLUMN
Green car maintenance
with Ray Brown
The political and social pressure on governments around the world
to reduce their dependence on importing energy, increasing energy
sustainability and reducing Greenhouse emissions has resulted in
the need to find alternative sources of energy for transportation.
Quite apart from the ‘greening’ of the
marketplace, many of these governments
are providing substantial economic and
regulatory incentives to bring these
products to market as soon as possible.
The automotive manufacturers are
responding to the need to move away from
the internal combustion petrol engine to
greener technologies, and most
companies have an array of new products
coming to market in a relatively short
timeframe.
This article will seek to examine the
maintenance requirements for these new
vehicles and the likely impact on the
aftermarket industry and consumers alike.
Diesel engines
Historically in the Australian market,
diesel powered vehicles have been
confined to prestige European, lower
volume niche manufacturers or
commercial vehicles. Recently, consumers
have recognised the benefits of fuel
efficiency and performance, which has
created a shift in the marketplace toward
diesel vehicles, and as a result, many
mainstream manufacturers from Japan
and Korea are offering diesel variants for
the first time on many of their models.
Since most owners have limited
experience with diesel engines, the
following outlines the basic maintenance
required.
Unlike petrol engines, diesel engines
use high compression ratios to ignite fuel
(compression ignition) and consequently
are designed and engineered to withstand
higher operating stresses. Virtually all
engine components are manufactured
using stronger (and usually more
expensive) materials, which resist
premature failure and provide extended
working life. Diesel engines also run at
lower rpm than petrol engines, so are not
subjected to a harsh high revving life. They
have no complicated electrical ignition
systems and so the maintenance and
potential for these to fail is eliminated.
In a nutshell, probably the most
important maintenance item for a diesel
engine is filtration.
With much higher compression ratios,
diesel engines use a lot of air. In addition
many of diesel engines are fitted with a
turbocharger to increase engine efficiency
and performance. A turbocharger is a very
precise and sensitive component, which
requires very clean air for maximum
performance. Thus it is vital to clean and
change the air filter in accordance with
manufacturer instructions, using filters
that meet or surpass that manufacturer’s
specifications. Many diesel engine
vehicles are equipped with electronic
sensors which tell you when to check or
replace the filter and owners should react
to any warning quickly.
Diesel fuel is not as clean as petrol and
contains water, which could end up in the
fuel injectors. Many diesel engines use two
types of fuel filters to control moisture and
Fig 1: Diesel Key prevents misfuelling here
impurities in the fuel and these should be
changed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. To minimise
the risk of water in the fuel, it is also a
good idea to keep the fuel tank full to
prevent condensation from building up
inside the tank.
Diesel fuel is quite different to petrol
as it provides lubrication to the engine and
offers a significant level of protection to
internal components. On the other hand,
sulphur residue and carbon are created
when fuel is not burned completely, so oil
filtration is extremely important. The filter
used must meet or surpass OE
specifications and should always be
changed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. Most
manufacturers will recommend using
synthetic oils because the additives in the
oil resist premature breakdown. As the
diesel engine is burning some of its
lubricating oil, it is also important to
42 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

TECHNICAL COLUMN
check oil levels on a regular basis,
between service intervals. The oil needs to
be topped-up as required with the product
and grade recommended by the
manufacturer.
As the diesel is a compression ignition
process, on cold mornings the heat
generated by the pistons compressing the
fuel mixture can be quickly dissipated
throughout the cold engine block. The
engine is then unable to start because it
cannot generate and maintain enough heat
for the fuel to ignite. To overcome this
problem, a diesel engine maybe fitted with
glow plugs, which operate only for a few
seconds. Glow plugs have a typical service
life of around 100,000 kms.
One item of special interest to new
diesel owners and not covered by
manufacturers warranty is misfuelling.
This can easily occur as the nozzle of
unleaded petrol will fit the filler neck of a
diesel car. As petrol has no lubricating
capacity it can lead to significant engine
damage if the engine is started. Even if
not started, the fuel system will have to be
flushed and, in some cases, fuel system
components will need to be replaced. This
can be a very expensive mistake! Some
manufacturers are now fitting devices (eg.
Landrover Discovery 4) to prevent
misfuelling and an aftermarket device
know as ‘Diesel Key’ is available in
Australia to fit many European and some
other vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles
The maintenance requirements for
hybrid vehicles – series or parallel – are
not substantially different to a
conventional vehicle. As noted in a
previous article there are two types of
hybrid vehicle. A parallel hybrid vehicle is
one where the internal combustion engine
and electric motor drive the wheels (eg.
Toyota Prius), whereas a series hybrid is
driven by the electric motor and the
internal combustion engine is used to
charge the on-board batteries (eg.
Chevrolet Volt).
In the case of a parallel hybrid, the
internal combustion engine is being used
most of the time and therefore is subject
to similar servicing as a normal vehicle –
albeit that the duty cycle is lower than a
conventional vehicle. In the case of a
series hybrid, for short driving distances
(i.e. 60km), the engine may not be used at
all, and so engine maintenance can be
adjusted accordingly.
All hybrids use regenerative braking
systems and, as such, brake pads will not
have to be replaced nearly as often as they
would on traditional vehicles.
Obviously one of the key differences
while servicing hybrids are the battery
packs. Though most of the system is a
safe, standard 12 volt, the drive motor and
The issue of most interest for
owners of hybrid or electric
vehicles will be the life and
cost of replacement
battery packs.
related components operate well in excess
of 100 volts. To warn technicians and
operators of these high voltage circuits,
the cables are wrapped in a bright orange
casing. To safely maintain and/or repair
these components, the system must be
de-powered, a task that is best left to
trained technicians.
Batteries used in hybrid vehicles are
maintenance free although some vehicles
have a cooling system to optimise battery
life. The battery cooling system may
Fig 2: Mercedes Benz Lithium Ion Battery Pack here
require maintenance by replacing coolant
and/or replacing the air filter on a
scheduled basis.
The issue of most interest for owners of
hybrid or electric vehicles will be the life
and cost of replacement battery packs.
Conventional hybrids on the road today
are almost invariably fitted with nickel
metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are
larger versions of the domestic
rechargeable AA or AAA batteries. As we
move toward ‘plug-in’ hybrid or pure
electric vehicles the trend will be toward
Lithium Ion batteries because of their
higher energy density (energy available for
a given space), shorter recharge time and
lower self-discharge rate. But the bottom
line is that all batteries lose capacity with
age. Batteries age with use and also age
with time, even if not being used. The
factors, which influence battery aging
during use, include state of charge (very
high or very low), charging rates, charging
temperatures and high discharge rates. As
for shelf life, lifetime average
temperatures and time spent idle are the
key factors -- batteries would last the
longest if stored in a refrigerator at a very
low state of charge. The factors
influencing battery aging during use is
usually controlled by the onboard
electronics of the vehicle, whereas shelf
life can be assisted by reducing the
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 43

TECHNICAL COLUMN
lifetime average temperature of the battery
by providing cooling. In the case of the
Mercedes Benz S class hybrid, the
batteries are included in the climate
control system to ensure they work at
optimal working temperature for maximum
performance and longer life.
In the real world of operating a hybrid or
electric car, as the batteries age they lose
capacity and the vehicle will lose range. In
a hybrid this is not such a disadvantage as
the internal combustion engine can make
up for any loss of battery performance.
However this also implies that the benefit
of using a hybrid diminishes with time or
age of the vehicle. In an electric car, the
battery will require charging more often as
the battery pack ages. According to Tesla
Motors, an American electric vehicle
manufacturer, batteries will lose around 30
percent of energy storage capacity after
driving around 160,000kms.
The current cost of replacement NiMH
batteries for the Toyota Prius is around
$3000 excluding dealer fitment charges.
The cost to replace a similar pack of
lithium ion batteries is presently unknown,
but will be at least four to five times higher
due to higher production costs. However,
as production volume increases, R&D and
set-up costs are defrayed, the cost of
battery packs is expected to reduce
significantly.
Fig 3: Electric Vehicle recharging here
But owners have no need to fear these
costs as both Honda and Toyota’s
experience in the market place is that very
few battery packs have been replaced in
service, despite the fact that some models
have been on the market for nearly 10
years. Unsubstantiated reports indicate
that the after warranty replacement rate for
The main maintenance
item, especially for the
owner, will be recharging
the vehicles batteries
on a regular basis.
Honda and Toyota battery packs is less
than 0.02 percent (two in 1000 cars). The
good news is that warranty on battery packs
is usually well beyond that for the rest of
the vehicle. For example, last year Toyota
changed warranty policy for hybrid battery
packs from five years/100,000kms to eight
years/160,000kms, whichever occurs first.
The even better news is that this new
warranty policy was made retrospective,
and therefore applies to the first vehicles
ever produced – that shows a great deal of
confidence in the quality and life
expectancy of battery packs.
Electric vehicles
Whilst there are few pure electric cars
on the market at the present time a
number are due for release in 2011. From
the limited information available, it would
seem that maintenance costs for an
electric vehicle will be roughly half that of
a conventional internal combustion engine
vehicle. Electric motors require less
maintenance as there is no need for engine
oil or filters, air filters, maintenance of
emission equipment or topping up power
steering oil. As a number of these items are
time based service items (eg. engine oil) it
is also reasonable to assume that service
intervals will be less frequent than the
current average of 10,000kms.
The main maintenance item, especially
for the owner, will be recharging the
vehicles batteries on a regular basis. This
can occur at home, at a designated
charging station or by replacing batteries
at a changeover station. For a 240-volt
outlet it is expected that a full recharge for
most vehicles will take around four to five
hours.
The infrastructure associated with
vehicle recharging is in its infancy but it is
interesting to note that a number of major
cities have started the process. For
example in Vancouver, a law which
becomes effective next year, will require all
one and two family dwellings to be fitted
with an electric vehicle charging station.
In France, the Government has announced
a budget of around $A3.5 billion to
establish a network of roadside charging
stations.
The expectation is that many electric
vehicles will be sold where the batteries
will be rented or leased. This not only
provides the owner the opportunity to ‘pay
as you go’, to obviate the eventual high
cost for battery replacement, but the
control of the battery and its eventual
disposal/recycling can be managed on a
professional basis.
Footnote: Acknowledgement of assistance in preparation of this article to Tesla Motors,
Diesel Key and Mercedes Benz.
Readers are invited to send technical enquiries of a general nature to brownrc@bigpond.net.au
44 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

MONROE FEATURE
MONROE MILES AHEAD IN ROAD
SAFETY MARKETING STRATEGY
Monroe has played an important role in trying to make Australia’s roads
safer for more than 30 years. Extensive local product development and
manufacturing to suit Australian cars and roads has been supported by
Monroe’s constant promotion of the importance of checking and
replacing worn shock absorbers at regular intervals.
While this strategy has been effective
and has made Monroe Australia’s number
one choice in replacement shock absorbers,
Monroe can only do so much on its own to
achieve the ultimate goal of reducing our
road toll. In order to better capture the
minds of Australia’s motorists and road
users, Monroe is supporting two national
and high profile road safety awareness
events in 2010.
Fatality Free Friday (on May 28) was the
day dedicated to the goal of eliminating
Australia’s road toll for one day and
Driversafety.com.au is the pillar on which
the Fatality Free Friday concept was
developed.
In pre-promoting Monroe’s involvement
in the Fatality Free Friday initiative, Monroe
also took the step supporting a linked event
known as The World’s Largest Driving Lesson.
This event saw learner drivers nationwide
along with their instructors take part in a
simultaneous driving lesson across multiple
Australian venues on Wednesday April 28.
This road safety awareness generating
event included some 250 drivers across 11
national venues to gain the world record.
Since the inception of Fatality Free Friday
in 2007, thousands of individuals,
government bodies, community groups and
leading automotive companies such as
Monroe have recognised and supported this
very important annual community event. On
Fatality Free Friday (May 28) Australian
motorists and road users are urged to take
the pledge of the event, which is a promise
to drive safely.
Monroe has also formed an alliance with
Driversafety.com.au
This concept represents a new direction
in driving training systems. These systems
employ a range of training strategies that
are supported by current research findings
in the areas of biomechanics, human
movement and driving psychology. It is the
most interactive online driver training
system currently available and Monroe is
proud to be involved with it,
A major addition to the promotion of
Monroe’s road safety message in 2010 is the
recruitment of Monroe’s own safety
ambassador and one of Australia’s most
skillful racing drivers, Mark “Frosty”
Winterbottom to assist in spreading
Monroe’s road safety message.
While being one of the V8 Supercar top
five drivers for more than five seasons now,
Winterbottom is also dedicated to the cause
of making our roads safer. To this end, he is
also the lead ambassador for the V8
Supersafe program, which finds Mark
visiting high schools nationwide to help
future drivers and current learner drivers to
develop a road safety ethos.
How can every automotive repairer or
suspension specialist play its part in
enhancing road safety
By joining Monroe in becoming a
Monroe Safety Specialist. A range of
detailed marketing initiatives are included
such as print media advertising, an on-line
based Monroe Safety Specialist locator and a
national hotline for customers to locate their
closest Monroe Safety Specialist.
In responding to Monroe’s detailed road
safety based marketing, Monroe Safety
Specialists are contacted by customers who
are concerned about the state of their ride
control components and the effect this could
have on steering, braking and vehicle
stability.
There is another incentive to becoming a
Monroe Safety Specialist during 2010, as
your business will also enter one of two
draws in July and November to win the most
important safety item that Mark
Winterbottom uses when racing his FPR V8
Supercar, his helmet.
To enjoy the benefits of Monroe’s road
safety based marketing strategy in 2010,
contact Monroe head office today on
08 8374 5222 or visit www.monroe.com.au
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 45

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Going from A to B to C-Class
Bilstein extends its product range in the replacement market
State-of-the-art shock absorbers and pneumatic suspension systems are vital components when aiming for optimum
driving comfort and sporty performance. With the focus specifically on driving comfort Bilstein has now added a
further product to its range with a high-performance replacement shock absorber for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The shock absorbers and pneumatic
suspension modules which Bilstein has
been developing and producing for several
years offer an ideal combination of driving
comfort, dynamic driving pleasure and
safety thanks to their damping effect. The
distinctive technology used by Bilstein
enables these components to swiftly adapt
to a wide range of road conditions, thereby
achieving perfect steering and driving
performance without the vehicle losing any
of its stability or rolling comfort.
Manufacturers of premium vehicles are
increasingly keen to stress the sporty yet
safe nature of their products. It was for this
reason that Bilstein developed its new
'DampMatic(r)' technology, which improves
both comfort and performance. Originally
designed primarily with the A-Class in
mind, this technology is now already in use
in other vehicles manufactured by
Mercedes-Benz.
Close contact with this OE customer
during the development period enabled
Bilstein to actively incorporate the car
manufacturer's requirements into the
further developments of its own products.
The outcome is that following on from the
A and B-Class, Bilstein now also supplies
the aftermarket with the right replacement
shock absorbers for C-Class models. This
means that Bilstein's technologically
advanced shock absorbers are in use not
only in the Original Equipment sector, but
are now also available as exclusive
replacement parts for yet another range of
vehicles.
For more information visit www.bilstein.com
Enhancing sway bar effectiveness
Whiteline offers range of heavy-duty,
adjustable sway bar links
Not many enthusiasts are aware but sway bar or stabiliser mounts and links
play a huge role in sway bar effectiveness.
This is even more significant when larger
aftermarket sway bars are installed to a
vehicle.
Whiteline offers a range of adjustable heavyduty
up-rated ball joint style sway bar links.
These Whiteline Sway Bar Link Kits are a
must when installing larger aftermarket sway
bars and are very useful in reducing preload
of aftermarket sway bars during installation.
By neutralising this preload the sway bar
reacts equally from side to side during
cornering.
The Whiteline adjustable sway bar links
feature a threaded lightweight hex aluminium
body offering up to 25mm of ‘on car’ link
adjustment, plus up-rated ball and stud link
ends for maximum sway bar effectiveness,
especially during the use of heavier Whiteline
adjustable sway bars.
For more information or to check
availability call 1300 882 355 or
head to the Whiteline website at
www.whiteline.com.au
46 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

STEERING & SUSPENSION
TRW: the place to turn for expertise in steering systems
Modern day vehicle manufacturers have many challenges facing them
when developing the steering system of a vehicle.
Fuel efficiency, packaging, complexity,
quality and, of course, cost considerations
must all be taken into account.
Since the steering system is the first
and foremost interface to the driver in a
vehicle, it can become highly influential
in the driver’s buying decision.
Almost every review written about a
vehicle includes a comment about the
steering feel.
Vehicle designers
have four basic
options when
choosing a
steering system.
Manual steering
is a system where
there is no power assist
and all steering torque
(or the energy the driver puts in to turning
the steering wheel) comes from the driver.
These systems are rapidly losing market
share and are being replaced with a form of
power assisted steering.
HPS gears have been around for
decades and over time a remarkable array
of ‘steering feel’ have been created that
often becomes part of the signature of the
vehicle itself.
A HPS system uses fluid flow from the
pump gated through a precision ground
valve to push a piston left and right on the
rack (the bar that actually pushes the
wheels left and right).
TRW introduced its Electrically Powered
Hydraulic Steering (EPHS) into the market
in the late 1990s and it replaces the
mechanical pump and belt with a motor
driven pump under software control.
The assist in Electric Power Steering
(EPS) is provided by an electric motor
coupled somewhere along the steering
column or on the gear itself.
In this system the
pump, belt, pulleys,
hoses and fluid are
eliminated from the
steering system.
An EPS system
is able to provide
all the features of
an EPHS and
reduces CO2 up to 3.5 percent based on
TRW tests on a 1.6-litre engine.
TRW aftermarket steering and
suspension components are available
exclusively from Repco.
For more information call 133 227.
48 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Over 1000 pairs of springs in stock!
Large stock holding and expansive workshop keep Wholesale Suspension
ahead of the game
Wholesale Suspension has been operating in the Greater Western
region of Sydney for the past 20 years and has over 35 years
experience in the suspension industry. Its vast product knowledge
and large stock of specialised products ensure it is regarded as an
industry leader.
It is also known as King Springs
Sydney and is the largest
independent distributor of King
Springs in Australia with a stock
holdings exceed 1000 pairs at all
times.
Its professional approach and
focus on quality customer service has
seen it become the New South Wales
distributors for a range of famous
brands such as Koni, Bilstein,
Ultima, Tein and Boge.
For any obsolete part Wholesale
Suspension has a fully qualified team
to source, repair, re-build or
manufacture whatever parts are
required.
Its workshop is fully equipped
with state-of-the-art facilities,
including: eight hoists and a
comprehensive laser wheel alignment
machine, while its mechanics have
vast experience for all types of
vehicles and are highly trained to
ensure the very best standard of
workmanship is carried out on your
vehicle.
For more information call
02 4721 2112.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 49

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Develop for the future
New Falcon and Commodore
front arms enhance Roadsafe
product line-up
Roadsafe Automotive Products is looking to the
future with regard to product range and development.
With Australia's largest range of steering and
suspension components comes a great deal of
industry confidence that the company is constantly
updating the range, and developing aftermarket
components for late model vehicles.
To stay on the front foot with regard to development is to
know intricately how general suspension parts operate, and to
determine where the weak or wear points in a suspension
system may occur.
Peter Taylor (Product Development Manager) and Tania
Allatt (Product Marketing Manager) of Roadsafe Automotive
Products are charged with ensuring that the front-end
development program for Roadsafe is second to none. At
present Roadsafe is releasing at least two to six new
development numbers per month. The items vary from heim
joints (cross axis ball joints), to adjustable panhard rods, to
tie rod ends, to control arms – and everything in between!
Significant emphasis has been put into developing and
expanding the 4WD range of products, whilst still maintaining
focus on common passenger vehicle applications.
"It is imperative that as the industry leader in steering and
suspension, we have a strong emphasis on our range. Constant
development in all facets is required,” Mr Taylor explained.
Roadsafe has one of the strongest development programs of
any front-end supplier in Australia.
"That is going to be our key for ongoing success in our
industry. We develop parts, and we try to stay ahead of the
opposition," Mr Taylor said.
"We work very closely with our manufacturing facility in
Taiwan to determine what new items are developed. This gives
us a great deal of confidence in our ability to stay ahead of
the opposition with regard to range development.”
Some of the recent new development items from Roadsafe
include forged arms for the AU-BF Falcon, VE Commodore
arms and the commonly replaced Hilux drop arm.
"Although the Hilux models the arms suits are getting a bit
old, more and more customers have been requesting the drop
arm, as it is a very high wear item,” Ms Allatt explained.
"Although a few genuine arms get bent, the general reason
for replacement is the significant wear suffered by the ball pin
or ball pin aperture. Various attempts have been made to
rectify this problem however the safest option is to fit a
complete replacement drop arm.”
"Each year new vehicles get released that offer us new
challenges in development," Ms Allatt said.
"We look forward to the future, and further developing the
range to remain the market leader in steering and suspension,"
Mr Taylor concluded.
Originators not imitators
SuperPro's virtual pivot
bushing explained
Car manufacturers follow engineering trends aimed at
increased efficiency and cost savings. The current methods
used when assembling the under carriage and engine
module into a vehicle has given rise to a required change
in the style of suspension bushings, particularly bushings
used to locate cross members and control arms.
The traditional location of control arms was achieved with a
location point using a bolt or pin aligned in the horizontal plane.
The advent of assembly systems designed to assemble a vehicle
faster on a production line, saw the introduction of the vertical
pivoting bushings or VPB. The VPB allows for the locating pin or bolt
to align in the vertical position. This concept has saved time on
assembly and has introduced significant design changes for the
rubber suspension bushings due to the way they work and the
control arm shape in which they are located.
The vertical pivoting bushing also saw the introduction by many
manufacturers of segmented or directional shapes and designs of
these bushings, to take advantage of passive four wheel
steer systems, increased engine power and improved
technical suspension systems.
SuperPro has been developing innovative
polyurethane suspension bushing designs for
over 25 years and saw a need to develop a
VPB that would not deteriorate under high
lateral load distortion. The SuperPro VPB
replacement bushing
required a more complex
process of design; it had
to be a concept that did
not increase noise
vibration and
harshness, but also
had to provide a
positive free floating
pivot point and an
uncompromised
approach to safety. This stylemounting
bush must also trap and
locate positively in the event of
failure.
The SuperPro polyurethane
VPB ensures that all steering loads and
suspension movements will be directed to the steering road wheels
without loss of motion, and therefore ensuring that all of the driver
inputs are transferred to the road wheels.
Superpro has large range for many vehicles including the Toyota
Kluger, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Golf, Hyundai Getz and many
more.
SuperPro has also added an extra dimension to VPB and has
released a complete range of caster correction bushings to allow for
accurate wheel alignment and increased suspension performance.
For more information call 07 3892 9000.
50 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

STEERING & SUSPENSION
The search for reliable aftermarket steering suppliers
Challenging times call for innovative solutions
The aftermarket steering supply industry has been hit hard by the unpredictable economic conditions of recent years.
Where until a couple of years ago there
were plenty of well-known steering supply
options to meet the needs of the local
automotive industry, it is now the case that
finding a stable aftermarket steering
supplier with a long track record in the
industry, knowledgeable staff and a
comprehensive range to suit all vehicle
types is increasingly difficult.
In these challenging times, Driveline
Services Australia has sought to become
more responsive to these growing market
needs by increasing its focus on steering
products and building a workshop with the
resources and skills to rebuild any product
that comes its way.
For more than a decade, Driveline
Services has built itself an enviable
reputation as a reliable aftermarket
steering supplier and workshop that does
the full job every time. With 24 hour
turnarounds on standard jobs and an ever
growing range of new and exchange racks,
boxes, pumps and seal kits, Driveline
Services' steering workshop is trusted by
wholesalers, mechanics and retailers right
across Australia.
Importantly, Driveline Services is
fiercely proud of its reputation for providing
quality products every time, which is
evident right across the steering range. For
example, all rack ends are built to OE
specifications and brand new boots,
bushes, seals and rack ends are used in
every job.
As well as a comprehensive range of
current model parts available off the shelf,
Driveline Services also specialises in hard
to find steering applications to suit almost
any vehicle. With knowledgeable and
experienced industry experts on staff, no
challenge is too great for the steering team.
A key difference between Driveline
Services and other steering workshops is
that steering is just one part of the service
offered by the underbody specialists,
alongside well established driveline and CV
front wheel drive workshops and growing
programs in suspension, diff and gearbox
components and performance products,
which provides a unique knowledge of the
interconnected nature of underbody
systems. Furthermore, the combined skills
and purchasing power of the Driveline
Services group allows the steering
department to cope just as easily with
custom jobs as with bulk orders from
national customers, and they are equally
happy to discuss what customers need
from their steering supplier and provide
customised solutions to meet those needs.
Along with a state-of-the-art steering
workshop located in Brisbane's south at
Archerfield, Driveline Services also boasts
a comprehensive branch structure,
covering the east coast of Australia from
Melbourne to Mackay. All branches stock
a range of products for common steering
applications available right off the shelf,
with well-established freight links back to
Head Office providing quick and easy
access to the Brisbane workshop for those
jobs requiring custom treatment.
To request a catalogue of the comprehensive
range of aftermarket steering products available
or for more information, contact Driveline
Services Australia on 07 3275 7600.
Whiteline Plus Edition Two Catalogue available
Whiteline has released the second edition of its Whiteline Plus Chassis Control catalogue.
Launched in late 2008 Whiteline Plus is a range of progressive polyurethane suspension
bushings and components.
The progressive feature refers the
polyurethane’s ability to provide the quality ride
of rubber at lower and higher speeds to become
firmer when under cornering pressure for greater
chassis control and improved handling.
The second edition includes some new features
such as a vehicle suspension type image
reference, a kit contents breakdown and key
service item flags.
Whiteline Plus has a large product range and
provides enhanced reliability and durability as well
as added safety and improved ride quality for all
vehicles.
For more information on Whiteline Plus or to request a
catalogue contact Redranger toll free on 1300 882 355.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 53

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Airbag man on the move
Airbag Man, based in Brisbane, has recently moved into a
large, purpose built premise, allowing for further expansion.
As leaders in the field of air springs and air suspension, its everincreasing
range of products and the continued reputation has
achieved this expansion
For more information call 1800 AIRBAG.
WASP Suspension improves
distribution in Queensland
With the establishment of a new warehouse at Slacks
Creek in Brisbane, Austral Distributing Company has
strengthened its Queensland distribution of the Wasp
brand steering and suspension components.
The appointment of Michael Green as State Manager, who
has 17 years service with Austral, will also ensure continued
growth of the brand and support to Austral’s other Queensland
distributors.
“With the continued development of Wasp components and
the recent addition of Gabriel shock absorbers, we are in a very
strong position as a reliable supply source of front end parts to
resellers,” Mr Green said.
“We are very aware that steering and suspension are safety
items and that all Wasp brand products are manufactured and
tested to meet very high quality standards.’’
Queensland now has a strong distribution network through
Austral Distributing, Garrmax Intl, HPP-Lunds and Walsh’s Auto
(Cairns) in the north.
For more information call 02 9534 5466.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 55

STEERING & SUSPENSION
more importantly the benefits Nolathane offers to you or your customer's vehicles.
• Innovative product
designs, technology
and installation;
• Diagnosing worn
suspension;
• Why Nolathane
Your Family Sedan;
• Why Nolathane
Your Hatchback;
• Why Nolathane
Your Commercial;
• Why Nolathane Your 4x4.
Each video can be found
on the new Nolathane website
at www.nolathane.com.au or
can be viewed on YouTube by
simply searching under the
term Nolathane.
Designed to integrate and
offer a fully balanced handling solution,
Nolathane offers replacement suspension
bushes and alignment products.
“Multimedia is a key element of our
current marketing mix, with these videos
designed to educate and inform all levels
of the market on the Nolathane brand
and its products in 2010,” Nolathane
Marketing Manager, Andy Nolan,
claimed.
“Not many know but the brand is over
25 years old, and over this time has
continuously improved to be a vastly
different and significantly superior product
to its original formulations.
“Each of the videos is designed to bring
the consumer, whether it be reseller,
mechanic or DIYer up to speed with worn
suspension and the benefits Nolathane can
offer to the wide variety of vehicles on our
roads."
The videos cover a number of important
categories including:
• The Nolathane brand, its history and its
progression;
Suspension in the YouTube era
Nolathane embraces modern communication methods
Nolathane has developed a range of informative videos that provide a great insight into the brand, its progression, and
For a catalogue, brochure or technical
information on any of the Nolathane products
contact the Redranger team on 1300 882 355
or visit the website.
56 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Gabriel moves back into trucks
Brandlines has announced it has re-introduced a range of Gabriel
shock absorbers for light commercials and heavy-duty trucks.
These heavy-duty shock absorbers have the globally recognised name Fleetline.
They have a top durability
reputation based on their superior
design and extra-tough materials.
Gabriel also makes the boast of being
an Original Equipment supplier to
many commercial vehicle
manufacturers.
The new range is included in
the latest Gabriel catalogue as:
83000 Series: super-strong
35mm bore, 63000 Series: 41mm bore
three-way adjustable with a wide range of
Japanese applications and 85000 Series: 41mm bore for the
heaviest duty applications.
New name for world renowned steering components
Delphi Steering division becomes Nexteer Automotive
It may be a new name to the Australian market but Nexteer Automotive is a multi-billion dollar global
steering and driveline business solely dedicated to electric and hydraulic steering systems, steering
columns and driveline products for original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket.
Globally, Nexteer Automotive's 6200 employees serve more
than 60 OEM vehicle manufacturers in every region of the world
from 22 manufacturing plants, six regional engineering centres
and 14 customer service centres strategically placed in North and
South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
The company's customers include such names as GM, Fiat,
Ford, Toyota, Chrysler and PSA Peugeot Citroen as well as
automakers in India, China, South America and Australia.
The Nexteer brand came into being in 2009 with the sale of
Delphi's global steering business and today the corporate slogan
'At Nexteer, we're focused on being ahead of the curve and staying
there' is a clear indication of the dynamic drive of this company
with a 100 year old history of innovation and development.
The Australian manufacturing plant and engineering facilities
“All Gabriel Fleetline shock
absorbers are designed and built to be
tough and durable,” Brandlines’
Maurice Luksich said.
“This includes hardened and
chrome plated piston rods with
arc-welded reinforced end
mounts.
“Here is an opportunity for resellers and
wholesalers to gain sales in the Japanese
Commercial vehicle range such as the Toyota Dyna,
Daihatsu Delta, Isuzu and more," Mr Luksich said.
For more information call 02 9457 9488.
are located at Somerton, Melbourne and the sales and
administration office is domiciled in Glen Waverley, Melbourne
to service the three OEM manufacturers and the aftermarket
business.
The new name of Nexteer is already making an impact as the
aftermarket supplier of high quality OEM replacement power
steering pumps, power steering hoses, steering columns, rack and
pinion gears and halfshafts for a wide range of vehicles including
support for models up to 20 years old. Distribution of the Nexteer
brand is being strengthened throughout the country.
As an example of the company's advanced technological
developments it recently announced the 2011 Ford Mustang will
be equipped with Nexteer Electric Power Steering making it the
first to market with EPS technology in the US manufactured
muscle car - sports car segment.
The Nexteer brand EPS systems achieve up to four percent
fuel savings compared to traditional hydraulic steering by
eliminating the hydraulic pump, hoses and fluids and replacing
them with a high efficiency motor. The motor only draws power
from the battery when the driver needs power-steering assistance,
compared with hydraulic steering which draws power continuously
from the engine. As a result of fuel savings, vehicle emissions are
also reduced. For muscle car buyers the attraction is not only the
responsive enhanced feel of the steering but the EPS delivers up
to an additional three horsepower to the driven wheels.
Further information on Nexteer, the new name in the Australian
automotive industry, is available from the website www.nexteer.com or
phone 03 8561 3530.
58 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Suspension Boost for ATAP
Nolathane products add to extensive steering and suspension range
Australian Truck and Auto Parts (ATAP) move to include leading brand Nolathane to its ever-increasing suspension
range has proven to be a great success. The national supplier has now been stocking the popular range of
Nolathane steering and suspension bushes for over 12 months.
The locally developed range is Australia’s top selling
polyurethane suspension bush due to the manner in which it
delivers improved steering and performance.
“This addition to our range has given our existing customer base
an opportunity to boost their business,” ATAP’s Anthony Goerke
said.
“It is, in particular, a great fit with our existing range of Protex
steering suspension. The Nolathane product gives our customers
a cost effective upgrade option that has demonstrated excellent
results in steering, longer suspension life and handling
performance.
“The Protex line-up includes rack and tie-rod ends, ball joints,
centre and side rods, idler and pitman arms and steering rack boot
kits.
Along with shock absorbers, the Nolathane range serves to
enhance our existing steering and suspension program.
“Our aim is to offer our customers a broad range of suspension
components to better serve their requirements in building a better
business in today’s changing market,” Mr Goerke said.
For further product information contact your local ATAP warehouse.
60 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

STEERING & SUSPENSION
Pedders range
continues to grow
Expanded range of shocks and
bushes now available
Pedders Suspension recently expanded its range of chassis
parts to suit various Toyota, Lexus and Holden models and
now Pedders Suspension has released its Trak Ryder shocks
to suit the Hummer H3.
The Trak Ryder conversion drastically
improves the Hummer H3 ride and handling by
providing increased comfort and control in both
on-road and off-road situations.
Pedders Suspension has also recently
increased its range of rubber bushes to suit a
range of BMW and Mercedes Benz models.
For further information please contact your local
Pedders Suspension specialist, check out
www.pedders.com.au or see the Pedders Suspension
catalogue.
A partnership with integrity
– Roadsafe and Whiteline Plus
Roadsafe Automotive Products is proud to announce that
from May 2010 it will stock and distribute the full range
of Whiteline Plus polyurethane products from both
its Queensland and Victoria warehouses.
After 14 years experience in the polyurethane business Roadsafe
is excited with the prospect of the advanced technology, product
development, cataloging, service and support that can now be given
to automotive resellers and specialists through the Whiteline Plus
program.
Whiteline Plus is a range of progressive polyurethane suspension
bushings and components. By ‘progressive’ Roadsafe say it is
referring to the Whiteline Plus polyurethane’s ability to provide the
quality ride of rubber at lower speeds and at higher speeds to become
firmer, when under cornering pressure, for chassis control and
improved handling.
The new ‘Translucent Black’ colouring is especially beneficial to
genuine replacement and restoration applications, in addition to the
huge range of 4WD, performance and passenger vehicle applications
available.
“Roadsafe are a progressive company, and Whiteline Plus is a
progressive program – the joining of the two will ensure that resellers
and specialists will have ready access to a full range of polyurethane
with the service and support they have come to expect from
Roadsafe,” Roadsafe General Manager, Peter Moreau, said.
New Whiteline Plus catalogues are available now from Roadsafe – or
immediate cataloguing can be found online at www.whiteline.com.au
The Roadsafe sales team will be out and about calling on all resellers,
but further details, inquiries and orders can be placed by phoning
toll free VIC 1300 651 551 or QLD 1300 559 086.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 63

TAPA FEATURE
Thailand is one 10 Asian countries
which make up the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN). The country's
Department of Export Promotion, an agency
of the Ministry of Commerce, organised the
show along with the Thai Auto-Parts
Manufacturer Association (TAPMA).
TAPA 2010 was held at the Bangkok
International Trade and Exhibition Center
(BITEC) from April 28 to May 2 and started
with an opening ceremony.
Royal Thai Government's Vice Minister
for Commerce, Assistant Professor Veerasak
Jinarat, noted the concept of this year's
TAPA in a speech at the opening ceremony.
"This year's concept is ASEAN Auto
Parts Sourcing Hub: The World's Trusted
Source for Parts and Accessories in which
we hope Thailand will play a leading role,"
he said.
"To underline this theme the show
includes a large ASEAN pavilion for
neighbouring countries to show their
strength.
"As many of you know, ASEAN is a
growing economic entity on the world stage
with its 10 member countries having a
combined population of over 600 million
people."
Mr Jinarat noted that the automotive
industry is one of Thailand's biggest
industry sectors with an export value at an
average of US $15 billion a year.
"Over the past two decades Thailand has
successfully developed a dynamic and
rapidly expanding automobile industry, with
many of the world's leading brands now
assembled here for both the domestic
market and for export within Asia and
further a field," he said.
Mr Jinarat said that automotive exports
for the first quarter of 2010 totalled
US$5.155 billion, a 65.9 percent increase
on the first quarter of 2009.
He said if the trend continues, exports
will increase by 20 percent to total $US17
billion at year's end.
Up to the first quarter of this year, for
the last five years Australia has been
Thailand's biggest export market for cars.
But while Australia is the biggest export
market for cars, Australia makes up only
3.21 percent of Thailand's export market for
automotive parts and accessories behind
TAPA 2010 promotes quality
The fourth running of the Thailand Auto Parts and Accessories (TAPA) trade show promoted the
country along with its ASEAN partners as the most trusted source for automotive parts and
accessories in the world.
64 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

TAPA FEATURE
countries including Japan (14.57 percent), Indonesia (12.29
percent) and Malaysia (9.75 percent).
Thailand Automotive Institute President, Vallop Tiasiri, said
Australia holds much more potential to export for Thailand's
aftermarket.
"The Australian market is very important for Thai's automotive
industry because the Australian market is one of the biggest markets
buying product from Thailand, especially pickups and also
passenger cars," he said.
"I think the automotive replacement parts will be a good future
between Thailand and Australia and very important for Thailand as
the need for replacement parts increase more and more."
Besides parts replacement opportunities for Australia, Mr Tiarsiri
said Thailand could also increase the export of accessories for these
vehicles to Australia.
He praised the Australian Federal Government's economic
stimulus package in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis.
"Especially in the first quarter last year, it bottomed and affected
all (exports) to the world, including Australia," Mr Tiarsiri said.
"But luckily after that the Australian Government had a very good
AAAA at TAPA
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket
Association was asked to present at
TAPA 2010 on opportunities in
the Australian market.
Over 50 participants heard Ben Bartlett, National
Membership Manager, present on the basics of doing business
in Australia, and highlighting the importance of being active at
the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo in May 2011 in
Melbourne.
Leigh Wilmott (Austrade Senior Business Development
Manager for ASEAN Automotive) also presented briefly on
benefits of working collaboratively with Australian
manufacturers due to our advanced research and development
capabilities.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 65

TAPA FEATURE
stimulus package and now in this first
quarter we already exported more pickups
than before the crisis."
TAPA 2010 featured exhibitors from
China, India and other ASEAN countries.
This year was the first time automotive
manufacturers from fellow ASEAN country
the Philippines took part in TAPA.
The Philippines hope to build deep
economic ties not only with the ASEAN
region but ASEAN partners including
Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, and
Japan.
"The exhibition is important for
countries such as the Philippines so our
local auto parts manufacturers can gain
inroads in the fast growing ASEAN
market," Rommel T Juan, Vice President
on external affairs of the Motor Vehicle
Parts Manufacturing Association of the
Philippines, said.
Australia's sole exhibitor at TAPA 2010
was Ironman 4X4, a 4WD parts and
accessories company which opened an
office in Thailand in the latter half of last
year.
Ironman 4X4 is a member of the
Australian Automotive Aftermarket
Association (AAAA) and Ironman 4X4
General Manager Atinat Intharaprasong
said the company used the show as its
official opening of the Thailand office.
"We have a head office in Melbourne, a
branch office in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth
and many dealers around Australia," he
said.
"Last year we opened a sales and
marketing office in Thailand for export to
take care of the Asian market, the Middle
East and Africa to build the brand and
expand the business are here we are.
"This is our first show in Thailand."
Mr Intharaprasong said the Thai
operation would be a base for exports.
"In the last six months we have been
lucky enough to find good partners in
Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia,
Mongolia, Sri Lanka, China and Malaysia,"
he said.
"The next show we will go to is in Dubai
(for Automechanika), hopefully to find
some good partners for the Middle East
and Africa."
Besides its range of 4WD parts and
accessories, Ironman has also branched
into camping products including roof top
tents and 4WD fridges.
"When people go to the forest they need
to sleep; they need an ice cold beer," Mr
Intharaprasong said.
"Everybody is doing this in Australia so
we are trying to bring this to the Asian
consumer, bringing the outback lifestyle
from Australia.
"It's an Australian product, at an
Australian standard, to the Asian
community."
Mr Intharaprasong said the roof top
tent created interest because it was a new
product in the market.
"People are excited, very excited when
they see the tents," he said.
"I used it last year during the winter
here; great product.
"At night it gets below 20 (in Thailand)
and it was very nice and comfy. Why would
you want to sleep on the ground It's
crazy."
Mr Intharaprasong said quality but
affordability was the key to moving product
in Asia.
"Asian people are getting richer and
richer so they look for recreational activity
so instead of just going to the mall, now
they go to the forest and they need good
equipment," he said.
"What is lacking from the Thai market
is we don't have good equipment and
somebody tried to bring some quality stuff
from Australia but the price was
unaffordable, too expensive.
"We try to make the product more
affordable to the Asian community and so
far, so good."
Members of the Thai Auto Parts
Aftermarket Association, a rough
equivalent of the AAAA, had a pavilion
showcasing their products.
Association committee member, Pichet
Pholguwanchai, said the group has about
70 to 80 members and was officially
established two years ago but has run
informally for five years.
He said members must be exporters
and also be members of the Department
of Export Promotion. Almost all of them
are ISO accredited.
Some members are considering
attending next year's AAAA-organised
Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, which
takes place from May 12-14.
"A lot of people go to the Australian one
and some members are really interested to
go there," he said.
"The association will go to the Thai
Government to ask for funds to support the
members (to get to the Expo)."
TAPA 2010's seminar program focused
on the outlook and trends in the world's
automotive industries, with particular
attention paid to the needs of eco friendly
and electric cars in terms of auto parts and
accessories.
AAAA National Membership Manager,
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TAPA FEATURE
Ben Bartlett, was one of the speakers in the seminar program and
discussed the strategy for Australia's automotive parts market (see
breakout).
In keeping with the theme of 'The World's Trusted Source for
Parts and Accessories', the small contingent of international
media attending TAPA 2010 were also given a tour of two
Bangkok automotive factories to witness best practice companies
in action.
The ISO certified Somboon Group boasts customers including
Toyota, General Motors, Ford, Isuzu and Mitsubishi.
Somboon Advance Technology operate under the Somboon
Group umbrella producing axle shafts, both leaf and coil springs,
disc and drum brakes and stabiliser bars.
Yongkiat Kitaphanich, the Somboon Group's Executive Vice
President and Honorary President of TAPMA, joined the media
on a tour of Somboon Advance Technology's manufacturing
factory and rigorous testing and R&D facilities.
The media also toured Toyota's Ban Pho Plant in the
Chachoengsao Province where 1600-odd employees build
Toyota's Hilux model to an exceptional standard.
Thailand's Board of Investment markets the country as "the
Detroit of Asia" and it is not hard to see why.
Since the construction of its first automotive assembly plant
in 1961, Thailand has evolved into the largest vehicle producer
in Southeast Asia and exports to 130 countries.
To ensure Thailand has a strong future in the automotive
sector, last year the Board of Investment introduced new
incentives to attract more international manufacturers including
machinery importation exemptions.
As part of Thailand's Eco-Friendly plan, the Ministry of Finance
offers a three year exemption of import duties on parts for E85
ethanol vehicles which are not produced in Thailand and the
Ministry also reduced excise taxes on cars using E85.
The political tensions in Bangkok undoubtedly and
unfortunately affected international attendance for TAPA 2010.
Although the BITEC is located about 10 kilometres away from
where the protests were taking place, concerns the protesters
could move to the airports and interrupt travel plans kept many
away.
But Mr Jinarat stressed that exhibitors at TAPA 2010 felt the
future for the auto parts and accessories market appears bright
"with prospects for continuing strong growth".
"Despite the ongoing political demonstration that you read
about in the newspapers, I can assure you that Thailand's industry
sectors remain strong, with high expectations for the future," he
said.
"The automobile and auto parts industries play an important
economic role within ASEAN and shows like TAPA 2010 underline
the strong government commitment to strengthening its role.
"In order to develop our automobile industry to its true
potential, the Thai government has adopted a policy of
encouraging the establishment of domestic suppliers of auto parts
and auto accessories either through their own initiative or in
partnership with world leaders in the production of auto parts.
"The result has been phenomenal, with a great variety of
quality auto parts and accessories being manufactured in
Thailand.
"We are now able to supply our own automobile assembly lines
with all their needs while at the same time we have developed a
highly successful export market that is worth is US$15 billion a
year."
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 67

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
Bosch battery service for today’s cars
Bosch offers a range of battery testers and chargers suitable for the
servicing of modern vehicles.
The service and repair of modern
vehicles relies more and more on having the
right workshop equipment and battery
servicing is no different. The testing and
charging of batteries in today’ vehicles
places strict demands on testing devices.
Bosch battery chargers are microprocessor
controlled, which protects the
vehicle’s electronics from potentially
harmful voltage peaks and making them
suitable for in-car charging. This has the
added advantage of eliminating the
possibility of a low battery voltage, which
can cause problems with ECU diagnostic
communications during scanning.
Bosch battery testers provide fast and
reliable testing of all battery types,
including Gel and AGM and only require a
nominal charge to operate. A non-load
conductance test is used to measure the
battery’s internal resistance resulting in the
display of more informative test data. The
easy to use units give clear, accurate results
in just seconds.
For professional testing, charging and
starting, choose the Bosch battery service
range.
BAT415/BAT430 Battery Chargers
Features include:
• Calcium, Gel/AGM battery charging;
• BAT 415 – 12V/15A, BAT 430 – 12-
24V/30A;
• Overload protection and temperature
compensation;
• 2 Amp back up mode for battery
R&E Auto Parts are expanding their range
of workshop equipment, branded as Blue
Power, which currently includes a range of
vehicle hoists, wheel aligners, tyre changers
and balancers. The newest addition to the
range is the BL9350C Bench Brake Lathe,
which allows for easy machining of both brake
rotors and drums within your own workshop.
With a large range of adaptors available it
allows for machining of discs & drums from
most cars, 4WD, trucks and buses.
The adjustable cutting speed will allow for
quick, efficient and accurate cutting of both
rotors and drums, while the spindle has a
choice of three speeds.
changes to preserve ECU data
memories;
• Automatic detection of deep exhausted
batteries with protective charging.
BSL 2470 Battery Charger
Features include:
• Voltage regulated charging of standard
and Calcium batteries;
• Overload protection and temperature
compensation;
• Continuously adjustable charge current;
• Electronic charging – 12V/140A,
24V/88A;
• Start assist – 12V/250A, 24V/220A;
• Manual selection for deep exhausted
batteries with protective charging.
BAT110/BAT121 Battery Testers
BAT110 features include:
• Four digit numerical display;
• Three LED indicators and scrollable
arrow keys;
• 200A to 850CCA operating range.
The convenient design allows for an easy
change from rotors to drums and back while
the accessory pack includes adaptors to suit
most popular applications and strap silencers
for drums and vented discs.
It also comes with a customised bench
and toolbox for cleanliness and safe use. It is
able to machine rotors with diameters
between 178-381mm and up to a thickness
of 48mm and will machine drums with
diameters between 152 – 711mm and depths
up to 175mm.
For more information please contact your nearest
R&E store on 1300 734 676.
BAT121
Features include:
• Eight digit LCD screen;
• Inbuilt thermal printer, for printing of
test data;
• 50A to 1550A operating range;
• Alternator test function also checks
regulator and diodes.
To find out more about Bosch battery service
equipment call Bosch Diagnostics Customer
Service on 1300 783 031.
R&E Equipment range gets more products
New additions add to Blue Power range for 2010
68 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
Chassis dynamometers not
just for the performance elite
There is a popular misconception in the Australian
automotive service and repair sector that a chassis
dynamometer is an expensive, specialist tool for
elite high performance workshops. The reality
In truth, a chassis dyno that will improve the productivity of any
workshop, slash diagnosis time, and provide proof of repair, can be had
for as little as $30,000.
Sure you will pay a lot more for a top of the range all-wheel-drive unit
– but the more sophisticated machines provide an even better return on
investment via added functionality. The high-end units can interface
with modern OBD2 equipped vehicles and graph or display live data
from the vehicle’s on-board computer as it is being driven under realworld
driving conditions.
While various tools can be used to extract data from the vehicle’s’
‘brain’ at idle in the workshop – only a chassis dynamometer such as
the Dyno Dynamics 450DS can do so during a variety of simulated
driving conditions.
So why would any workshop benefit from a dynamometer With
interest rates soaring, Australian ‘mortgage belt’ families are struggling
to make ends meet. Consequently, high fuel prices are looming large as
an issue with consumers, the media and government. Accordingly, any
tool that can diagnose problems that lead to decreased fuel efficiency,
and provide the means to rectify the cause, is an invaluable asset for a
modern, customer-focused workshop.
To demonstrate the point, a recent test conducted by Dyno Dynamics
on behalf of ‘Perth Street Car’ magazine revealed that better than 10
percent power gains can be made simply by performing a dyno ‘decoke’
on an older vehicle (and up to 5 percent on a newer vehicle).
Assuming the driver doesn’t use the extra power for more speed or
acceleration, the power gain becomes a corresponding improvement in
fuel efficiency. For the average family, saving 10 percent off the weekly
fuel bill is sizeable benefit. The procedure takes around 30 minutes
and produces guaranteed improvement for any vehicle affected by
carbon build up in the combustion chamber.
The dyno can also be used to check speedometer accuracy to within
less than one percent. This is great value-add for a customer coming to
your workshop for a service or repair and provides significant peace of
mind to owners of high performance vehicles and professional drivers
seeking to reduce the chance of fines.
Importantly, chasses dynamometers also provide proof of repair,
particularly for driveline items such as clutches, tail shafts, differentials
and gearboxes (the ability to check auto transmission shift points
against established standards is an added bonus). Cooling system
repairs can also be properly tested under ‘road load’ conditions.
In a business where good customer service and the resultant word of
mouth referrals are critical to success, dynos are a real asset. Vehicles
can be thoroughly tested in the workshop before the customer collects
the car – resulting in fewer returns and improved customer satisfaction.
In addition to the clear message you send to your customers that
your workshop is focused on excellence – the opportunity to work with
state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment will assist with staff recruitment
and retention. As a capital expense, a dyno is 100 percent tax
deductible and will take your business to a new level.
For more information call 03 9735 8900
couldn’t be more different.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 69

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
Flagship Tireworld store opens in Penrith
The new flagship Tireworld store in New
South Wales, City Discount Tyres in
Penrith, is aiming to offer customers a new
retail experience when buying tyres and
wheels and has come about with some
smart customer-focused thinking and
excellent workshop equipment choices.
Martyn Shirtliff, Retail Operations
Manager for Tireworld NSW, attributes
much of the group’s success to quality.
“We see ourselves as a one-stop shop –
not just tyres and wheels – but under car
servicing," he said.
“This is where the partnership between
Alemlube, Burson Auto Parts and Tireworld
comes in. The extensive workshop area has
been equipped with premium Italian
vehicle hoists and wheel service equipment
and first quality hose reels distributed by
Alemlube and sold by Burson Auto Parts.”
Alemlube has a reputation for providing
benchmark automotive workshop design
and fitouts around Australia.
“It was great to work with such a
professional group and Clark Spencer
Alemlube and Burson Auto Parts complete fitout of new Tireworld store.
(Alemlube’s NSW Project Operations
Manager) and his team did a fantastic job
of ensuring all the equipment was in place
well before the store opening,” he said.
“We rate the quality of the equipment
very highly and know that it is superior to
anything else we’ve used previously. We
have peace of mind knowing that Alemlube
will be servicing the equipment for all the
Tireworld stores in NSW.”
Brian Buck, Burson Auto Parts Sales
and Training Manager commented: “It is
with great pleasure that we congratulate
City Discount Tyres on the opening of their
new state of the art tyre store, with high
quality equipment supplied by Burson Auto
Parts in order to reach and maintain the
high standard demanded by Tireworld.
Alemlube was engaged to complete
installation of all workshop equipment,
compressor and all air systems, preparation
of floor and electricals.
“Another successful workshop
installation and commissioning for
Alemlube, and together with Burson Auto
Parts, we congratulate City Discount Tyres
Penrith.”
For more information call 02 9938 2999.
SpeedMaxx 3 setting the pace
The SpeedMaxx 3 is the result of years of development – in direct cooperation with automotive
manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Vulkan Lokring has been a supplier of
the unique Lokring solderless tube
joining connectors to automotive OEMs
for many years. As a direct result of the
close working relationship with the
design and service engineers of several
OEMs, Vulkan Lokring came to
understand that the current range of
automotive air conditioning service
machines on the market were not
performing to the full satisfaction of
several automotive OEMs.
Vulkan Lokring therefore set out to
design the best service machine – with as
few compromises as possible. The result
is a brand new concept. The key unique
features are:
• The entire chassis and body is
manufactured from heavy-duty powder
coated steel, which is strong and
suitable for any automotive workshop
environment. Powder coated steel is
suited to the harsh environments of
regions such as Australia, where strong
UV radiation can deteriorate the
plastics used on some competitors
machines;
• Large and easy to read display. The
step-by-step instructions are easy to
follow straight from the screen.
Although a printed manual is supplied,
it is possible to operate the machine
by simply following the on-screen
instructions;
• The Speedmaxx 3 has the very best
charging accuracy on the market. This
was confirmed by the Loktool Cate
1800, a special tool developed for
Mercedes-Benz and BMW;
• The on-board oil and dye bottles are
hermetically sealed to provide oil and
dye supplied to the vehicle free from
moisture contamination;
• Fully digital pressure gauges. The use
of digital technology means that the
SpeedMaxx 3 is also capable of
printing a history of the operating
pressures after a verification test of the
a/c system. Pressure data is easily
viewed any time during the service
cycle by pressing the ‘information’ key;
• Extremely detailed error handling.
Should an error occur, the SpeedMaxx
3 would enter a self-diagnostic
procedure and provide feedback to the
operator. A machine-generated
recommendation advises the operator
as to the course of action to take;
• Service software enables remote
system diagnosis;
• All components of the machine are
easily accessible and replaceable. The
double access door allows full access.
SpeedMaxx3 is recommended by
BMW, Mercedes-Benz- General Motors
Europe and Porsche Motorsport.
SpeedMaxx3 has been fully engineered
and is manufactured Germany; however,
the price is very competitive in the
Australian marketplace.
For more information call 02 4322 8533.
70 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
A tool for every purpose
Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket’s specialty tool range has the right tool for the job
Specialty tools are a must-have in every
workshop and in many cases a professional
repair is unthinkable without them. As part
of its services Schaeffler Automotive
Aftermarket offers a complete range of
specialty tools.
Just one of these is a special tool set,
which contains all the specialty tools
required to replace a self adjusting clutch
(SAC).
Included in the set are a centering pin
for SAC models where the diameter of the
crankshaft bore is greater than the
diameter of the clutch hub and for models
without a pilot bearing, a releasing tool for
SAC models of the latest generation with a
locking element as used on various VW,
Audi, Seat and Skoda models and a range
of four centering pins for the clutches used
on BMW models.
The kit also comes with a tool for
disassembly and installation of an SAC
with six or eight bolt holes and a releasing
tool for pre-tensioned clutches.
The specialty tool allows for a
counterforce-free bolt connection, thereby
avoiding damage to the clutch cover during
removal and installation and avoiding
distortion of the adjusting ring.
Another specialty tool now makes it
possible for a mechanic to check the basic
functions of a dual mass flywheel (DMF)
while it is still mounted to the car.
The tool measures rock and freeplay,
which is the angle at which the primary
and secondary flywheels can be rotated
against each other before load is exerted
on the arc spring.
The test results are compared to the
rated values of the corresponding DMF part
number. Besides a visual inspection for
grease egress, scoring, discolouration etc.,
which used to be the only option to assess
the functional reliability of a DMF, the
measurements of the DMF special tool now
provides hard facts for reliable damage
assessment.
Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket has
also recently developed a universally
applicable tool kit for belt drive service and
maintenance.
These high-quality tools cover older
engine types as well as all current vehicle
makes and models.
Belt drive component repair requires
utmost precision as it affects the engine
timing. Even the tiniest inaccuracies can
cause damage to individual components,
front-end accessories or the engine itself.
The wide range of specialty tools offered
by Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket also
includes an INA test device to check for
correct tension of the toothed belt.
Excessive tension will cause increased
wear to all timing drive components, while
insufficient tension can cause skipping of
teeth resulting in altered valve timing, both
of which can lead to engine failure.
For further information email
LuK-AS.au@Schaeffller.com
or call 02 8977 1038.
72 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
REPCO continues to lead the way in
workshop equipment
Vast range now showcased in new 2010 Tools and Equipment catalogue
Repco started life as an equipment
manufacturer and today continues to
supply Australian automotive repairers with
premium quality workshop equipment.
Over its life Repco has earned a reputation
for providing unrivalled premium quality
products and after sales support to its
valued trade customers.
Not only is the Repco Equipment
business represented through a national
network of 280 Repco stores, it also
operates dedicated state-based offices in
all major Australian capital cities to provide
the best possible service to its customers.
From product selection and supply,
through to installation, product training
and technical support, Repco can offer a
total equipment solution for any
automotive workshop.
Repco’s commitment is to ensure that
its trade customers have access to the
latest advancements in workshop
equipment from around the world and this
can be found in the company’s ever
increasing range of products.
The Repco 2010 Mega Tools and
Equipment Catalogue demonstrates the
vastness of its range, from state of the art
engine diagnostic tools to complete
workshop fit-outs.
Suppliers to Repco Equipment are
world leading manufacturers and dealing
with industry leaders provides Repco with
access to the very latest in training and
technical support.
For further information contact Repco’s
Equipment Division on 1800 224 581 or your
local Repco store on 133 227.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 73

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
Kroll keeps workers happy
Erica O’Driscoll from Bridgestone Select in Moonah, Tasmania says
she couldn’t do without her Kroll heater.
“With gale force cold winds threatening
Tassie again this winter, our workshop in
Tasmania will be grateful of our choice of
heating systems,” she said.
“We purchased a Kroll heating system
some years back and have experienced the
effectiveness of the Kroll heating ever
since.
“Typical of any busy workshop we have
two separate workshops which are large
and necessarily open to the elements, but
the Kroll heaters do make the difference,
improving the otherwise chilly work space.
“Besides their heating effectiveness the
Kroll heaters run off waste sump oil, which
if it wasn’t used in this effective recycle
option, it would need to be disposed of at
a cost the business.
“Over the years of operation the rare
occasion where repairs are required, the
replacement parts do not cause any
unnecessary concern as they just clip in to
place.
“With such a successful run with the
existing Kroll heater, there is very little
hesitation in the purchase of a second
heater for our business.”
For more information on Kroll heating systems call
1800 805 243.
Making wheel alignment easy
Beissbarth Easy 3D wheel aligner wins German Innovation Award
The Beissbarth Easy 3D wheel aligner has been acknowledged
as living up to its name after being awarded the 2010 German
National Award for Outstanding and Innovative Achievement in
the Field of Trade at the recent International Trade Fair, held in
Munich. The panel of judges awarded the prize to the Beissbarth
Easy 3D wheel aligner, based on its ease of use, speed, accuracy
and the fact that it requires so little space. They commented that
these features make work easier in the workshop, providing
efficient support for cost effective maintenance and repair of
vehicles.
The Beissbarth Easy 3D wheel aligner is suitable for aligning
all types of cars, vans and light commercial vehicles. It is easy
and fast to operate, even without special knowledge of wheel
alignment, making it suitable for a variety of workshops, not just
tyre specialists.
It takes just minutes for the entire measurement process to
occur, from driving on to the lift until your results are printed.
This rapid performance means a workshop can do more
alignments a day, potentially increasing profits.
The Easy 3D wheel aligner is so simple to set up and operate.
With the vehicle driven on to the lift, universal clamps and
measurement plates are then mounted on to the wheels. The use
of Beissbarth universal clamps means that runout compensation
can be carried out simply by driving the car on to the lift, and
does not require mechanics to push the vehicle back and forth by
hand. It is also not necessary to exit the vehicle during the runout
compensation process.
With clamps and measurements plates mounted the sensors
are then attached. The sensors are integrated with a unique
reference system, which comprises state-of-the-art, lightweight,
durable and impact resistant cameras. This system ensures
reliable, reproducible and virtually real-time measurement results
without complicated or potentially error-prone calibration.
As soon as the sensors are detected and the four measuring
plates sighted Easy 3D is ready for operation. The sensors can
even be moved without affecting the results, making fixed
attachment a thing of the past, which also allows the lifting
platform to be freed up for other work.
The slimline Easy 3D is mobile and extremely compact, fitting
perfectly in even the smallest workshops. It is also ideal for
operation on wheel alignment pits and four post hoists.
Beissbarth consistently leads the way in developing high
quality and innovative wheel servicing equipment, a fact that has
now been formally recognised with this recent accolade for the
Easy 3D wheel aligner.
For further information on the Beissbarth Easy 3D or any
other product in the Beissbarth range call 1300 783 031
or visit www.beissbarth.com.au
74 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
New worklight shines brightly in school of hard knocks
Hemipro worklight makes it through ultimate durability test
The rugged new Hemipro High Power
worklight now being introduced to Australia
was subjected to the ultimate durability
test recently when it was repeatedly run
over on the highway and lived to tell the
tale.
The power-saving but extraordinarily
bright LED light – used in applications
ranging from vehicle workshops to
campsites – was spotted on a six–lane
highway near Salt Lake city in the US by
good Samaritan motorist Paul Ferguson.
He pulled up because he thought the
cylindrical light was a pipe that could be
launched like a missile through someone’s
windscreen if a car or truck ran over it, and
potentially cause an accident.
Once retrieving it however, he
discovered the pipe was a newly designed
automotive and recreational task light
recently introduced by Cliplight
Manufacturing in Toronto, a Canadian
automotive aftermarket service products
provider. Well it was new until an
indeterminate amount of cars, trucks and
other vehicles had run over it like road kill
in what most product manufacturers would
consider an extreme stress test.
The access end cap that holds the
rechargeable four-hour battery was long
gone, but the cordless three-LED light lit
up once Ferguson switched it on while
holding the battery in place during a whim
of complete optimism.
“As a coordinator in a vehicle fleet
maintenance department, Mr Ferguson was
mightily impressed,” Australian Distributor
of GO Distribution, Gary Oborne, said.
“He knew the value of dependable
automotive task lights and wrote an email
to Cliplight to buy the accompanying AC
charger and a new end cap.
"The Hemipro work light was designed
to withstand a lifetime of accidental drops
by service techs and other users, but I have
to admit we were a bit surprised by its
successful career as road kill on a major
highway,” said Mr Oborne, adding that Mr
Ferguson was sent a complimentary end
cap and battery charger for sharing his tale.
The patented new generation LED task
light features a super-wide, 70 degree
powerful beam with whiter, brighter and
more even light disbursement than older
generation LEDs or a conventional 75-watt
light bulb.
Available at automotive trade
distributors, the Hemipro LED light has a
resilient polycarbonate lens shield and
tough plastic encasement. It's a more
durable alternative to fluorescent task
lights or traditional light bulbs in a
protective cage/extension cord set-up that
typically break after accidental impacts.
Hemipro worklights are designed to
provide 10 years or more of optimum
clarity and safety in maintenance tasks,
with the super strong NiMH 2500
milliAmp hour battery being rechargeable
and replaceable. They incorporate the first
use of high-power LEDs in work lights for
the automotive repair market, with strong
benefits also for applications such as
industrial heavy vehicle, electrical, farm
and machinery maintenance workshops.
Their retail appeal is further enhanced by
their being highly appropriate for consumer
use around campsites, caravans and the
booming number of recreational vehicles
and associated activities.
Using either two or three High Power
LEDS, the Hemipro two LED and three
LED work lights provide exceptionally
powerful beams, which, respectively, equal
or exceed the light area intensity of a 60W
or 75W beam, says Gary Oborne.
“What really sets the Hemipro lights
apart, in addition to their toughness, is the
patent-pending, uniquely engineered
hemispherical lens design, which refracts
the LEDs into an exceptionally clean,
bright and wide beam. The highly
modified lens design captures and
transfers the powerful LED light into a
super-wide 70 degree beam, while also
eliminating hot spots, dull areas or
irritating halo rings.”
To see Hemipro LED Worklights in action visit
www.cliplight.com/automotive and view the
video. For more information call 02 6026 4886.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 77

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
World renowned tool manufacturer
Warren and Brown Technologies has been
designing and manufacturing hand tools
since the automotive repair industry was a
youngster back in 1921.
The W&B-Scope brand of tools is known
the world over for their quality, reliability
and durability and it is common to see
tools that have been passed down through
two or more generations still functioning
perfectly. This is a testament to the
rigorous parameters to which the W&B
tools have always been constructed.
Still talking the torque
Warren and Brown build reliability and durability into every wrench
The flagship in the W&B tool family is
an extensive range of torque wrenches,
which have been produced in Melbourne
from 1948 until today. The range of
wrenches can be found in use with the
armed forces, construction industry, heavy
earth moving, vehicle manufacturing and
also in the tool boxes of some of the
biggest names in international racing
engine development such as V8 Supercars,
Indy and NASCAR as well as Formula One
teams.
The research and development that has
Two more of the best
Snap-on adds a couple of new products to its range
gone into every W&B torque wrench leaves
no room for second guessing. The
wrenches are manufactured in batches and
extensive trials and tests are carried out
through every stage of the process. From
the selection of specialised materials to the
machining processes and final assembly,
the products are subjected to stringent
monitoring and documenting.
Batch testing has always played a large
part in Warren and Brown’s Quality
Assurance and this ensures that no
surprises rear their head, or faulty products
get into the hands of the customer.
Samples from each batch will go through
material testing as well as operational
testing of up to 100,000 cycles fully
loaded on the W&B “destructor” to ensure
the durability and reliability of the product
and that the finish is up to standard.
Finished wrenches then go through a
calibration process to guarantee the
accuracy complies to the companies
standard plus or minus two percent of
scale reading, Australian Standards call for
plus or minus four percent.
The production certifications and trials
give the company the confidence that the
products they produce are the best in the
world. Professionals and hobbyists alike
can still feel proud to say, “I have a Warren
and Brown Torque Wrench”.
For more information call 03 9318 5844.
Snap-on has introduced not one but
two new products, with a Digital Video and
Image Capturing Borescope (BK6000)
and a Low Profile Ratchet Socket Set
(210RAFM) both designed to make light
work of jobs at work or home.
The Digital Video and Image Capturing
Borescope is a must-have for visual
inspection work. It enables the user to
inspect cylinder bores and valves through
the spark plug hole, examine for gear wear,
view inside door and body panels to check
for malfunctions, inspect under the dash
and locate fluid leaks without access to a
direct line of sight.
Its 36-inch imager offers easy access
to out of sight or hard-to-reach areas and
its 3.5-inch screen records and plays back
both still images and video clips.
Increased viewing and recording flexibility
is easily achievable with the mini 2x
digital zoom, and the USB connector and
external SDHC card slot allowing images
and video to be saved to play anywhere at
a later date.
Optional accessories include a 72-inch
imager, 120-inch imager, UV 36 inch
imager and ear bud and microphone set.
The Low Profile Ratchet Socket Set
offers a winning solution for restricted
areas in modern vehicles. The special lowprofile
ratchet square drive design works
with low-profile sockets to access tight
clearance areas without limitation.
Manufactured from special alloy steel,
the ratchet is precision-forged and heattreated
and features Snap-on’s DUAL 80
technology, providing superior strength
and durability with less ratcheting arc.
Nickel/chrome plating also helps protect
against corrosion and makes the product
easy to wipe clean.
Snap-on’s new Digital Video and Image
Capturing Borescope and the Low Profile
Ratchet and Socket Set are available from
local Snap-on Tools franchisees.
Call 1800 810 581 or go to
www.snapontools.com.au to find
out more about price and availability.
78 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
Projecta’s Intelli-Charge battery chargers
provide power for professionals
State-of-the-art models deliver outstanding performance for all battery types
World class seven-stage technology with multi-chemistry
charging in Projecta’s latest range of battery chargers sets a new
standard for professionals in maximising battery performance and
life.
Engineered and designed in Australia for use on all types of
battery including Gel, AGM, Wet and Calcium, the new chargers
provide the opportunity for professionals to have just one charger
to meet all their charging needs. By selecting the battery chemistry
type, Intelli-Charge adjusts the charge to precisely match the
battery, extending battery life and performance.
starting from as low as two Amps allowing the user to best suit the
size of the battery. Additional features include a fully synchronised
LCD display and remote control supplied with each charger. Total
control of the unit along with its performance can be monitored
even when the charger is mounted out of the way and out of sight
- a feature that will delight caravan and motor-home owners, as it
avoids the necessity of checking a charger located outside the
vehicle.
Ensuring long term durability and service life, the complete
range of chargers feature short circuit protection and are
constructed from extruded aluminium housings complete with
solid mounting flanges. They are shock-proof, dust-proof and have
undergone rigorous vibration testing to pass both a military and
caravan standard. In addition the circuit boards have been
conformal coated to protect against moisture and dust.
Australian engineered and designed, Projecta Intelli-Chargers
are covered by a two-year comprehensive warranty and are available
from leading automotive, 4WD, camping and transport outlets.
Further information on the Intelli-Charge range Battery chargers can be
found at www.projecta.com.au
Intelli-Chargers are fully automatic and deliver a comprehensive
and accurate charging technique known as seven-stage charging,
especially engineered for optimum performance on all types of
batteries.
The first two stages, ‘de-sulphation’ and ‘soft start’ prepare the
battery for charging. ‘Bulk’ then delivers a fast charge followed by
‘absorption’, which ensures the battery is fully charged.
The ‘analysis’ mode is designed to ensure the battery is fully
charged. If the battery fails the analysis stage the charger will begin
to ‘recondition’ the battery, testing after each stage for up to three
times. Once past the analysis stage the battery is maintained ready
for use.
Intelli-Chargers are available from seven up to 50 Amps,
boasting power supply, recondition and adjustable output on
selected models. Smaller seven, 10 and 15A models can be used
as a power supply ideal for use as a memory saver when changing
a vehicle battery thus avoiding the loss of important radio and
computer information. In the larger 25, 35, 25A, 8A/24V models
the power supply operates as a float charge (constant voltage) ideal
for maintaining a battery while running an appliance or load from
the battery without the risk of overcharging the battery.
Major features such as user friendly controls and easy to read
LED displays have been incorporated into the new chargers which
allows operators to quickly customise the charge settings and
monitor the charger’s performance. The chargers also remember
the last settings even when the power has been turned off.
The larger units feature a selectable charge rate function
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 81

GARAGE EQUIPMENT
Since 1921 Sykes-Pickavant, a UK
market leader of quality hand tools, has
been manufacturing and distributing a
comprehensive range of quality service
tools with numerous applications in the
field of automotive and general
engineering maintenance and repair work.
The service and diagnostic range has
been added to extensively including timing
and locking tools, diesel, ignition and
injection, cooling, fuel, exhaust,
transmission and brake tools, steering and
suspension, torque tools and general
workshop tools.
Due to the complexities of servicing
later model vehicles it is virtually
impossible to carry out regular
maintenance work without specialty
service tools. With Sykes-Pickavant tools,
service work can be successfully
completed to the manufacturer's
specification in the shortest period of
time.
The catalogue also includes Sykes-
Another 2010 Catalogue now available
New Sykes-Pickavant catalogue features over 250 new products
Pickavant pullers which are world famous
for their superior quality and
interchangeable components. The puller
range is supported by a comprehensive
range of spare parts designed to extend
puller versatility and cater for component
loss or additional pulling and extracting
applications.
The extensive body repair section
includes panel beating hammers, dollies
and spoons, body blades and holders,
sheet metal tools and hole cutters.
The 2010 Sykes-Pickavant product
catalogue is over 250 pages and has a
revised layout with more product
information than ever before. All products
are clearly and concisely described with
full technical details and vehicle
application listings where applicable.
For further information or to get a copy of the
new 2010 Sykes-Pickavant product catalogue,
contact your local Sykes-Pickavant distributor
or Tridon Australia on 1300 362 263.
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SAFETY FEATURE
THE EVOLUTION OF SAFETY
There are many factors that affect vehicle safety in road traffic situations; the condition of the vehicle, the
weather, road surface and traffic conditions, as well as the capabilities of the driver. However, arguably
the most critical component of a vehicle in regards to driver safety is the braking system.
The high speeds and increased traffic
congestion on roads today has meant that
over time, braking system technology has
had to become more sophisticated to meet
these demanding conditions while also
improving safety.
Since the 1960s, safety has been a
primary consideration during vehicle
development. Passive and active safety
functions have traditionally been developed
independently, but were brought together in
the 1980s for the first time. The recent
inclusion of predictive driver and vehicle
communication systems makes it possible
to further improve a vehicle’s ability to avoid
potential accidents.
Passive safety systems
These systems are designed to protect
vehicle occupants from serious injury in the
event of an accident. Passive safety
systems, such as seat belts and airbags,
protect the occupants when accidents
cannot be avoided.
Active safety systems
Active safety systems help to prevent
accidents and consequently make a
preventative contribution to road safety.
Examples of active vehicle safety systems
include Antilock Braking System, Traction
Control System and Electronic Stability
Program.
These safety systems stabilise vehiclehandling
response in critical situations,
thereby maintaining vehicle steer-ability.
The introduction of the Bosch Antilock
Braking System (ABS) in 1978 was a
milestone in the development of active
safety systems. ABS works by preventing
the wheels from locking, so the vehicle
remains stable even when braking hard,
enabling it to be steered during braking.
The ABS principle was subsequently
employed in new functions such as the
Traction Control System (TCS), which
prevents the driving wheels from slipping
during acceleration. The evolution of this
technology was realised even further, with
the introduction of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP). ESP combines the
functions of both ABS and TCS to identify
the first signs of instability in a vehicle and
act instantly to reduce the engine output
and specifically brake single or several
wheels, as required. This results in the
vehicle remaining on the driver’s desired
course. By 2012, it is proposed that
Australian legislation will be introduced,
requiring all newly registered passenger
vehicles to be fitted with ESP.
This legislation will mean additional
revenue for workshops servicing vehicles
fitted with ESP as the vehicle car parc ages.
However, in order to perform these services
and gain extra revenue, workshops need to do
two things: up-skill and invest in the latest
scan tool technology, and gain a crucial
understanding of the operation of those
additional parts that vehicles fitted with ESP
and ABS are equipped with, such as hydraulic
modulators, yaw rate sensors, steering angle
sensors and wheel speed sensors.
This illustrates the
safety systems and
components that are
found on modern
vehicles equipped
with the most
advanced technology
1. Wheel brake
2. Wheel-speed sensor
3. Gas inflator for foot airbag
4. ESP control unit (with ABS and TCS function)
5. Gas inflator for knee airbag
6. Gas inflators for driver and passenger airbags
7. Gas inflator for side airbag
8. Gas inflator for head airbag
9. ESP hydraulic modulator
10. Steering angle sensor
11. Airbag control unit
12. Upfront sensor
13. Precrash sensor
14. Brake booster with master cylinder and brake pedal
15. Parking brake lever
16. Acceleration sensor
17. Sensor mat for seat-occupant detection
18. Seat belt with seat belt tightener
*Article supplied by PBR Brake Talk
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 83

SAFETY FEATURE
HOW SAFE IS YOUR CUSTOMER’S BRAKE FLUID
So you topped up the power steering fluid, checked the battery fluid and the radiator, replaced the motor
oil and even topped up the windscreen washer fluid. You may have even checked the brake fluid level.
But did you check the boiling point of
the brake fluid Failure to do so could put
your customers at risk.
Brake fluid is designed to have a high
boiling point to withstand the high
temperatures generated by friction in the
vehicle braking system. Unfortunately brake
fluid readily absorbs moisture from the air,
through the flexible rubber hoses and
breather holes in master cylinder reservoir
caps. If this moisture is left unchecked in
the brake fluid it will eventually render the
fluid useless.
Moisture reduces the boiling point of
brake fluid to an unacceptably low
temperature, which causes vapour to be
created, due to the heat generated in
braking. This condition is called vapour lock
and can lead to loss of brake pedal pressure
and possible complete brake failure. Vapour
lock is common to most brake fluids as they
are glycol ether based and therefore
hygroscopic, which means that they
naturally absorb moisture from the air.
In addition to lowering the fluid’s boiling
point, excessive moisture in brake fluid
leads to corrosion, which can affect steel
pistons and ABS modulators making it a
potentially expensive oversight if left
unchecked.
So how do you check that your
customer’s brake fluid is up to scratch It
is impossible to tell if brake fluid is safe
simply by looking at the colour. It has to be
checked with a boiling point tester.
The important thing to keep in mind is
that you want to determine the ‘boiling
point’ not the ‘moisture content’. Some
brake fluid testers are designed to measure
conductivity, which means they are only
checking the moisture content. These will
provide a broad indication of brake fluid
health but can be influenced by low battery
voltage, slight batch variations in the fluid
and different additives in the fluid.
The most accurate method of testing
brake fluid health is to use a tester which
actually boils the fluid in the reservoir, such
as the PBR brake fluid tester.
The PBR brake fluid tester provides an
easy to use tester, power directly from the
vehicle’s battery and an accurate digital
readout of the fluid boiling point, in less
than a minute.
The tester range available is up to
320ºC, making it suitable for use on new
brake fluid and racing fluids.
If once tested the brake fluid boiling
point is below the minimum recommended
temperature, normally below 200°C, the
brake fluid should be replaced. If it has
fallen to anything under 175°C then it
requires immediate attention and the vehicle
should not be driven.
Brake fluid testing: a major opportunity
Brake fluid is just like engine oil in that
it wears out over time. Studies have found
that on average more than 50 percent of
vehicles on the road may have fluid that is
too old to be safe, therefore below the safety
standards set out by both vehicle
manufacturers and the Federal Government.
These standards actually specify a minimum
boiling point level at which the fluid should
be changed.
Every bottle of brake fluid has DOT safety
standards clearly specified on the back of
every brake fluid bottle, which should not be
ignored. They are critical to the safety of a
vehicle’s braking system.
Typically after only one year, DOT 3 fluid
for example, can contain up to two percent
water, which can lead to a 90ºC drop in
boiling point. With brake fluid temperatures
often reaching 150-200ºC at the brake
callipers, you don’t have to go too far past
the recommended replacement date before
the risk of vapour lock creeps in.
By explaining these facts to your
customers, you are not only looking after
their safety interests, but increasing your
opportunity to sell more brake fluid and
charge for the testing procedure.
Testing and changing brake fluid can be
just as profitable as changing engine oil. If
we know that more than 50 percent of cars
may have fluid that has absorbed too much
moisture to be safe, then if you test every
car that comes through your garage, half of
those will need a brake fluid change.
So, for example, if you service eight
vehicles a day (five days a week), four of
84 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

SAFETY FEATURE
which need a brake fluid change, and allow for
only half of those customers agreeing to the
service, the potentially your extra profits for the
year could look like this:
So, if you want to stay ahead of the game and
look after your customers, invest in a PBR brake
fluid tester and check the boiling point at every
service. Very few customers will complain about
EACH SERVICE VEHICLES/WEEK EXTRA SALES/WEEK EXTRA SALES
(PER YEAR/52 WEEKS)
$65 per vehicle 10 $650 $33,800
$80 per vehicle 10 $850 $44,200
Brake fluid testing can also increase the value
of general inspections, seasonal brake checks
and routine servicing. Integrating it as part of a
routine service could also show that you offer
greater value for money than your competitors.
the extra cost involved for applying this
additional service if they know it could be saving
their life.
*Article supplied by PBR Brake Talk
WHEEL SPEED
SENSOR
REPLACEMENT
The ABS is a four-wheel system that
controls all four wheels independently of
each other. It uses a series of sensors
throughout the car to detect the lock-up
of a wheel.
The wheel speed sensors deliver the precise
rotational characteristic information of the wheels
directly to the ABS control unit. If wheel lock up is
detected from this information, the system
automatically controls the fluid pressure in the
corresponding brake circuit. The pressure is firstly
maintained (pressure hold) or if the tendency to lock is
still present, reduced.
As the wheel is re-accelerated the fluid pressure is
increased, systematically slowing the vehicle. The
increase/hold/decrease of fluid pressure will continue
to occur until either the road surface changes, the
brake pedal force is reduced, or the vehicle stops.
Of the sensors that make up ABS, the wheel speed
sensors are exposed to the most extreme stresses, given
their position near the wheel, which makes them easily
damaged and prone to malfunction. This fact provides
an opportunity for workshops, particularly given the
ever-increasing amount of vehicles on our roads that
are now fitted with ABS.
Wheel-speed sensor replacement has never been
easier and more accessible to workshops. Bosch has
an extensive range of wheel-speed sensors available in
the aftermarket to suit the demand for replacement –
and fitting them is simple, once you know how.
*Article supplied by PBR Brake Talk
1. Wheel-speed
sensors:
Screwing off
the mountings
2. To remove the
defective
wheel-speed
sensor, simply
pull it out and
loosen the
cable.
3. Mount the
new wheelspeed
sensor
and tighten
mounting
screw with
specified
torque.
Connect the
cable to the
control
unit/wiring
harness –
done!
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 85

AMPA FEATURE
Green is the new black
Environmental issues lead the way at AMPA and AutoTronics Trade Show.
The theme of the recent AMPA Show – organised by Taiwan Trade (TAITRA) – was officially green motoring, or more
precisely ‘Moving Green, Driving Eco’.
Held over two floors of the Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei
on April 12-15, the show was a must visit for anyone looking to
source automotive parts from Asia.
The show incorporated AMPA for automotive accessories and
hard parts and AutoTronics Taipei for electrical automotive parts.
Organisers claimed over 51,000 domestic visitors and 5400
international visitors attended the shows – which incorporated
1011 exhibitors in 2711 booths – this was a three percent
growth on last year’s shows.
TAITRA President, Yuen-Chuan Chao, opened the shows.
“AMPA is Asia’s foremost and most specialised aftermarket
parts and accessories sourcing platform with many well-known
manufacturers in attendance,” he said.
“This year there are exhibitors from a total of 13 countries,
including the Unites States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands,
Indonesia, South Korea and India. In addition, there are two
national pavilions: Thailand Pavilion and the Philippines
Pavilion. This is a good indicator of the global attraction of this
event.”
Mr Chao described AutoTronics Taipei as “Asia’s most
acclaimed automotive show”.
He emphasised the importance of ‘green car’ developments to
Taiwan’s automotive industry’s future.
“In response to global trends for green technology, electric
vehicles are now the mainstream of development for the future
of the automotive industry,” Mr Chao said.
“Taking advantage of the great business opportunities
accompanying the electric vehicle trend, this year’s event for the
first time offers a dedicated HEV/EV Components and Parts
Exhibition Zone.
“It showcases the technical strengths of Taiwan’s R&D and
manufacturing capability in lithium-iron batteries, motor modules
and other key components for electric vehicles.”
For the second year in a row, the AMPA and Autotronics Shows
featured the ‘Online Green Power Products Showcases’.
“In addition to the show featuring such theme areas as fuel
86 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

AMPA FEATURE
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association
Membership Development Manager, Southern
Region, Paul Raike, introduced the Australian
market to around 80 interested participants in a
seminar during the AMPA and AutoTronics shows.
AAAA features at AMPA
Mr Raike explained the Australian aftermarket industry
and outlined opportunities in the Australian market for
international companies.
He encouraged the audience to explore opportunities
in Australia and then gave them an insight into the
Australian business culture.
Mr Raike also took the opportunity invite all attendees
to the 2011 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo.
The interest from the participants was incredible as
they queued up for an individual meeting with Mr Raike
immediately following the seminar. He spent at least an
hour answering questions and many more attending to
follow-up emails in the following days.
“I was overwhelmed by the response,” Mr Raike said.
“I was surprised, but pleased at the same time. It is
testament to TAITRA in the way that they promoted the
seminar.
“The follow up has been good as well. I have been responding to many emails so it all bodes well for the Australian Auto
Aftermarket Expo.”
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 87

AMPA FEATURE
efficiency, lower emissions, higher engine
performance and easier assembly, this year also
opens a new lightweight design zone. Products with
these features both allow drivers to experience the
thrill of lightweight design while significantly saving
on fuel consumption. We believe that this area will
attract much attention from domestic and
international buyers,” Mr Chao continued.
In conjunction with the shows TAITRA also
orgainsed the Taipei International Automotive
Electronics Forum and the Sixth Asian Electronics
Forum.
The Taipei International Automotive Electronics
Forum included speakers from General Motors Asia
Pacific, Mitsubishi, BMW and many local and
international fuel cell and green car organisations.
There were also opportunities for one-on-one
procurement meetings, with more than 60 buyers
from 25 countries taking part.
Nine local companies were also recognised with
innovation awards. These included: Big Time Auto
Run your car on water
WonTen Technology was exhibiting ‘efuel’ at the AMPA Show. WonTen is a local
Taiwanese distributor for Epoch products.
Epoch is a Taiwanese company located
in the country’s south.
Epoch has developed a patented
system for turning ordinary water into a
fuel additive, which it markets as its
answer to rising fuel costs.
The supplementary fuel generator is so
compact that it fits into the boot of any
car.
Ordinary water is poured into a small
tank attached to the generator.
The car’s alternator charges a battery,
which powers a control unit. This unit
controls a process the developers call
electrolysis. This patented process
converts water into a mixed oxygenhydrogen
gas.
This gas is then added to the car’s fuel
mix. It burns more efficiently and cleans
carbon deposits from engine in the
process.
It reduces carbon emissions and
increases combustion so therefore
horsepower and fuel efficiency are
increased.
In fact, the developers claim that in an
average car fuel consumption is reduced
by at least 20 percent and carbon
emissions are also reduced by 20 percent
or more.
“We have successfully integrated
unique green technology by using pure
water to create oxy-hydrogen energy. This
completely green solution can be used for
eco-friendly applications in vehicles,
industries and at home,” Wonten
President, Antony Huang, explained.
“An Oxy-Hydrogen Eco System for
public transportation can be installed on
buses in hours and can significantly
reduce fuel consumption and carbon
emissions.”
Epoch has also developed enginecleaning
units, which it markets to
workshops.
The developers claim that these units
can clean carbon deposits from engines
on anything from a motorcycle to a truck.
It takes around 20 minutes to clean an
engine and the end result is an engine
that runs cleaner and more efficiently.
“The Efuel Carbon Cleaning System
simplifies the process of carbon cleaning
by reducing more traditional and chemical
methods. Purified water is separated into
hydrogen and oxygen gases, and then is
recombined into oxy-hydrogen gas. This
softens and totally incinerates any carbon
in the engine cylinder,” Mr Huang said.
“Carbon cleaning systems for cars and
motorbikes are centrepieces in this
innovative carbon cleaning technology
series. These eco friendly products with
zero pollution can add 10 percent more
horsepower to an engine without causing
damage.
“We anticipate that 500 workshops in
Taiwan and another 2000 globally will
eventually adopt the Carbon Cleaning
System.”
Epoch has also found a number of
other applications for its oxygen-hydrogen
gas mix, including household and
commercial stoves.
“With the right combination of oxygen
and hydrogen gases efuel oxy-hydrogen
stoves produce a clean flame that avoid
oxidisation, which means there are no
carbon emissions, no greenhouse gases,
no toxins and no pollutants. They are great
for home, business and restaurant use,”
Mr Huang said.
Epoch is currently developing an
automobile engine that can run entirely on
oxygen-hydrogen gas.
88 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

AMPA FEATURE
Parts for its daytime running light and indicator light; Chu Hung Oil Seals
for its eBarrier oil seal; Just Auto Accessories for its LED daytime running
lamp which it supplies to Toyota for the Yaris; ABEO Technologies for its
Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror; Chuan Jiing Enterprises for its manual
extract and discharge pumps; Defend Group for its anti-theft system; Alvis
Technologies for its heads-up display; Funtoro for its mod bus; and Fujitsu
for its graphic display controller.
The Taiwan Small and Medium Enterprise Gallery made its first
appearance at the AMPA and AutoTronics shows this year. The exhibition
showcased Taiwan’s SME manufacturers in the auto parts and accessories
industry. There were 54 products on display, some of which included a
transmission shaft made from nickel chromium molybdenum alloy
material, specifically developed for motorsport and high-performance road
cars; an auxiliary viewing device, which eliminates blind spots of the front
wheels and bumper while driving; and shock absorbers that have
increased ease of installation and reduce noise and fluid leaks.
From weapons to alloys
Defence technology allows Taiwan wheel company to tap world’s aftermarket.
The enthusiasm Racing Tek General
Manager, Michael Chen, has for his
products is obvious.
Proudly holding a clay model of his
latest aftermarket wheel design to a crowd
of international journalists at the recent
AMPA show in Taipei, Mr Chen explained
that his company’s philosophy is “spirit,
passion, image and style”. It’s clear that
he leads by example.
Racing Tek is a Taiwanese company
that started five years ago. It is a
subsidiary of Everrising Machinery Co.
Everrising Machinery is a company
with 30 years of experience in CNC
machining and its roots are in developing
products for the defence industry.
Racing Tek has used the technology of
its parent company to develop a strong
and light alloy wheel for the world’s
aftermarket.
The technology, known as ‘flow
forming’, has previously been employed to
develop light and strong metal for use on
the heads of bombs.
It is a way of strengthening aluminium
so that less metal is used in each wheel,
therefore, making them much lighter but
at the same time retaining their strength.
Mr Chen explained that a more normal
forging process could be used to reach a
similar outcome but that process is more
expensive and results in a much higher
priced product for the end user.
“We could probably achieve even more
strength at a lower weight with forging, but
the cost is too high. Flow forming allows
us to achieve these results at a price that
the customer can accept,” Mr Chen
explained.
Flow forming is a patented technology
that pressurises aluminium under heat.
Mr Chen said that while a thickness of
5.5 millimetres is needed to achieve an
acceptable strength for a wheel using
standard aluminium, using aluminium
that has undergone the flow forming
process allows Racing Tek to use a
thickness of just 3.3 millimetres to
achieve the same strength. This means
the end result is a much lighter wheel. In
fact, the weight of a normal 18-inch alloy
can be reduced from 12 kilograms to just
7.9 kilograms – a weight saving of 25
percent!
This technology has given Racing Tek a
point of difference in the world’s crowded
alloy wheel aftermarket. And it’s obviously
working with the company now selling 20
million units a year worldwide, and Mr
Chen said Racing Tek has the capacity to
produce 300 million units per year.
Mr Chen said the company
understands that the aftermarket is not
just about matching the quality of OE
products.
“Our focus is on aftermarket and the
main thing you need in the aftermarket is
style… in OE you just need quality. We
need quality, style and fashion,” Mr Chen
pointed out.
And Racing Tek has realised that what
is stylish in one country is not necessarily
so in another. The company definitely
does not believe in a ‘one style fits all’
philosophy.
“The concept of the company is that
you need to compete all over the world, so
you need to prepare yourself very well,”
Mr Chen said.
“Research is very important. In
aftermarket we need fresh ideas… this is
our company’s strength.
“We study the culture (of each country)
and incorporate that into our products.”
Mr Chen gives the example of a wheel
designed for the Japanese market that
incorporates a Japanese symbol for safety
and wellbeing into its design.
Racing Tek is currently developing a
wheel for the United States market, which
Mr Chen says is based on a volcano, as
this is a symbol of domination and
strength, which he believes are important
in the American culture.
Racing Tek has also developed a 3Dmodelling
technique for prototyping that is
less expensive than a traditional process.
“We can get it right before we spend a
lot of money. Usually companies spend
too much on developing prototypes. Right
now using this type of modelling we can
do the prototyping a lot cheaper,” he said.
As well as selling into its local
Taiwanese market, Racing Tek currently
exports its products to most corners of the
globe.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 89

HR
REQUIREMENTS FOR PAYSLIPS
AND DEDUCTIONS FROM AN
EMPLOYEE’S PAY
All employers who engage employees must make and keep
accurate and complete records for all of their employees and issue
pay slips to each employee.
Pay slips must contain details of the payments, deductions and
superannuation contributions for each pay period. A pay slip must
include all of the following:
• Employers name;
• Employers ABN (if any);
• Employees name;
• Date of payment;
• Pay period-beginning and end dates (e.g. 01/06/2010 -
15/06/2010);
• Gross and net amount of payment;
• Any loadings, monetary allowances, bonuses, incentive-based
payments, penalty rates or separately identifiable entitlement
paid;
• Any deductions made, including the name (or name and
number of the fund/account) of each deduction
• If the employee is paid an hourly pay rate, the ordinary hourly
pay rate and the number of hours worked at that rate;
• If the employee is paid an annual rate of pay (salary), the rate
as at the last day in the pay period.
If the employer is required to make superannuation
contributions for the benefit of the employee:
• The amount of each contribution the employer made or is liable
to make during the pay period;
• The name, or name and number of any superannuation fund
into which the contributions were made or will be made.
Many employers choose to show the employees leave
entitlements (annual leave, personal carers leave and long service
leave) on pay slips. This is not a legislative requirement, however
can reduce the time Practice Managers and other Payroll Clerks
spend calculating the leave entitlements of employees. This is
more common with payroll systems that automatically calculate
tax, entitlements etc.
The HR Hotline often gets questions about what deductions
may be made from an employees pay.
An employer is allowed to make a deduction from an employee's
David Wilkinson
AAAA Industrial, Relations Manager
Phone 1300 735 306 Fax 02 9993 9709
Email hr@aaaa.com.au
The HR Hotline service has noticed an increase in inquiries from members unsure about the requirements of a
payslip, and if these have changed under the new Fair Work Act 2009.
pay if one of the following applies:
• the employee agreed in writing and the deduction is principally
for the employee's benefit, or
• the employee authorised the deduction in accordance with an
industrial agreement; or
• the deduction is authorised by or under an award or an order of
Fair Work Australia; or
• the deduction is authorised by or under a law or an order of a
court.
However, generally speaking, an employer cannot make a
deduction from an employee's pay even if it is authorised by an
award, or an industrial agreement if:
• the deduction is for the benefit of the employer and is
unreasonable, or
• if the employee is under 18 years of age and the employee's
guardian or parent hasn't authorised the deduction in writing.
NEED MORE INFORMATION
The AAAA HR Advisory Service can provide free to Members:
• Common Law contract templates
• Awards and current rates of pay
• Recruitment and termination advice
Phone: 1300 735 306 Email: hr@aaaa.com.au
The AAAA HR Advisory Service is available from 8:30 am- 5:00 pm
Monday to Friday (AEST).
"The answer could be just a phone call away"
90 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

4WD
NEW LUKEY 4WD EXHAUST SYSTEMS RELEASED
Australia’s leading aftermarket manufacturer of Original Equipment and aftermarket exhaust systems has expanded
its range of four-wheel-drive applications
The new Lukey Performance Exhaust 4WD applications ensure that
repairers and fitters can provide customers driving the most recent popular
makes and models with premium quality replacement exhaust systems.
The models covered by these new Lukey 4WD exhaust systems include
the Nissan Navara D21 and D22 variants, the Toyota Hilux SR5/Tray and
the Toyota Landcruiser 100 Series.
The Navara applications feature slotted inlet flanges on the intermediate
and rear sections to suit multi-fit applications. All of the new Lukey 4WD
aftermarket exhaust systems are braced at both ends for added durability
during frequent on and off road use.
All of the new Lukey 4WD applications have been mandrel bent during
the high quality manufacturing process, ensuring greater exhaust gas flow
for enhanced performance and fuel economy.
The new Lukey 4WD applications also feature two and a half inch
(63.5mm) mandrel bent Ultra Flow technology with continuous strand
glass.
The selection of Lukey Performance Exhaust systems as replacement
systems for 4WDs ensures that you are providing your customers with
ACCIDENTAL SHORTING AVOIDED
WITH NEW NARVA FUSE BLOCKS
New fuse blocks from Narva feature transparent clip-on covers
providing extra protection against shorting and a series of
symbol stickers make circuit identification easy.
Available in six, eight and 10-way blocks with an amperage rating of
25A per circuit at 12V and 150A
maximum per block, the new fuse
blocks with covers protect the fuse
connections against the risk of
accidental shorting.
Clear and easy circuit
identification is also provided with
the use of a selection of selfadhesive
stickers carrying typical
circuit names and symbols.
The new Narva covered fuse blocks are ideal
for use in 4WDs; caravans; motor homes and boats, where they can be
mounted in an engine bay or covered compartment.
The new Narva fuse blocks take standard ATS Blade fuses or plugin
style Circuit Breakers and come complete with transparent covers
and a selection of circuit identification stickers.
Available from leading automotive outlets the new Narva Fuse Blocks
come with prices starting from $32.50.
For more information call 1800 113 443.
The Lukey AL3-5849 exhaust.
quality systems designed to deliver performance and excellent value for
money. Each aftermarket system has been manufactured to meet or exceed
Original Equipment specifications. They have also been designed and
manufactured in Australia to ensure durability and suitability for Australian
on and off road conditions.
The quality of all Lukey Performance 4WD exhaust systems is best
described by some end user testimonials.
The owner of a Black Nissan Navara 3.0L turbo diesel from Virginia,
South Australia announced he is very happy with the performance gains
after having the Lukey AL3-5849 and AL5-5850 fitted at Carline Gawler
saying, “It was money well spent. I found the acceleration and torque had
been restored after fitting the Lukey system to my 4WD truck.
“I recently changed my tyres from the standard 265/70-16 to a heavier
light truck construction LT265/75-16 which has a taller profile and noticed
a reduction in acceleration and hill climbing ability which meant having to
change back to fourth and sometimes third gear, but after fitting the Lukey
system it cruises effortlessly up hills and my vehicle is like new once
again.”
Another customer from Seaview in Queensland stated, “I just spent a
heap of cash upgrading my 100 Series LandCruiser, so I thought it was
time to spend a bit on the exhaust so I bought a Lukey sports system at a
great price, love that growl!”
For more information call 08 8374 5222.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 91

PRTC
STRAIGHT OFF THE SHELF ON TO THE TRACK
Nulon Products has been chosen to be the official lubricant supplier for the 2010 V8 Ute Racing Series. After extensive testing by
Category Engine Builder Craig Hasted, Nulon was given the nod to supply all 32 cars full lubricants throughout the entire series.
Each competitor will be supplied with Synthetic Engine Oil, Synthetic
Gear Box Oil, Synthetic Diff Oil and Synthetic Power Steering Fluid for
their V8 utes. Already the oil has shown its strength and quality through
the dyno testing over the competitors by actually increasing the V8’s
horsepower over thinner weighed oil. Nulon put this down to the unique
friction reducing AAT formula and with the improved protection of a 100
percent Synthetic 15W50, the drivers know their engines are well
protected.
“I think the oil will be great for the engines. It’s fantastic stuff and will
do a great job,” Mr Hasted said.
Many oil companies advertise their participation in motor sport without
their products ever being used, but Nulon are putting their oil where their
mouth is. Nulon 100 percent Synthetic 15W50 oil is straight off the store
shelf and V8 ute racing is the perfect acid test due to the extreme stress
conditions and scorching temperatures that are experienced on the track.
It’s a perfect testing ground for confirming what Nulon believe is the best
oil on the market and assures the buyer and seller that the oil is more
than capable to protect their vehicle.
“To have an all ‘Aussie’ product for just about the most ‘Aussie’ of all
racing series makes for a fantastic fit,” Australian V8 Ute Racing,
Commercial Manager, Matthew Mackelden, said.
Nulon will be displayed on all front and rear number plates of the 16
Ford BFs and 16 Holden VE V8 utes competing in the 2010 Series.
AUTOBARN PRESENTS 2010 TOURING CAR MASTERS
Autobarn is sponsoring the 2010 Touring Car Masters following an exciting multi-year agreement announced recently.
Australia’s largest franchise retailer of quality automotive aftermarket
accessories and spare parts, Autobarn is a perfect fit for the hugely
popular Touring Car Masters.
With a network of more than 90 stores, Autobarn is renowned for
offering a top quality range of merchandise with a blend of expert service
and competitive prices.
Joining forces, the relationship between Autobarn and Touring Car
Masters presents a wide range of new opportunities to grow both brands.
Autobarn Motorsport Director, Paul Burfitt, said the company was
extremely excited to embark on this multi-year agreement between
Autobarn and the Touring Car Masters.
“We see the series as a great fit with our market. The series is hugely
popular and has been growing rapidly,” he said.
“It’s a great, highly professional category and we have some exciting
plans for 2010 and beyond.”
Touring Car Masters Chairman of the Board, Chris Stillwell, was glad
to have Autobarn on board.
“This is a very natural fit all round with Autobarn and the Touring Car
Masters both growing from similar core principles and a shared market
of motoring enthusiasts,” he said.
“Autobarn has a longstanding commitment to providing leading
brands at very competitive prices, backed by expert customer service.
Similarly, the Touring Car Masters aims to deliver high quality race
entertainment while containing costs and maintaining safety and
reliability.
“The category has gone from strength to strength in only a few short
years and we are confident that with Autobarn as presenting sponsor the
popularity and profile of the series will continue to soar.”
Supporting the category since its inception in 2007, Biante Model
Cars has become synonymous with the series through its invaluable
patronage and Biante remains a major sponsor of the Touring Car Masters
series in 2010.
After joining the series for the 2009 season, Shannons has now
stepped up its Touring Car Masters sponsorship program with the leading
insurer to be featured on the side number panel and headlights of every
entrant, as well continuing support of championship contender Jim
Richards in his popular Shannons Falcon Sprint.
Rounding out the sponsorship line up, Rare Spares remains the series’
number plate sponsor and will again host official Rare Spares autograph
signing sessions with the stars of the Touring Car Masters at each round.
The Touring Car Masters entries will once again be shod with Hoosier
Dot Radial tyres as Hoosier Tires is once again named as the official tyre
supplier for the category.
The Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn lined up for the
season’s first event at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide (SA) on March 11-14.
92 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au

PRTC
WHITELINE OFFERS TO SPONSOR
YOUR RACING CAMPAIGN
Be in the running for Whiteline Flat Out products simply by using a
Whiteline product on your race car and applying the necessary sticker in
the approved location (shown in the accompanying picture) for the duration of
one of Whiteline’s designated events. One of the following Whitline products
must be fitted to your race vehicle during the competition:
• Whiteline adjustable sway bars (anti roll bars) or sway
bar accessories;
• Whiteline alignment or geometry
products;
• Whiteline polyurethane bushings;
• Whiteline strut tower and/or
chassis bracing.
Based on your finishing position
Whiteline will award the following prizes:
• First Place – $300 product voucher (redeemable at any Whiteline Performance Centre);
• Second Place – $200 product voucher (redeemable at any Whiteline Performance Centre);
• Third Place – $100 product voucher (redeemable at any Whiteline Performance Centre).
Awards can be redeemed by forwarding the following information to support@whiteline.com.au
or go to (www.whiteline.com.au/contingencyaward/), the Whiteline Flat Out Contingency Award
Program website and submit your name, vehicle (including a jpeg of the car with Whiteline decal
highly visible) the Whiteline products used and the event date and location and your finishing
position.
Awards must be redeemed within 60 days of the event and Whiteline holds the right to refuse
claims based on insufficient or false information.
The full details and conditions of this promotion are listed at the aforementioned website.
MOTEC RAISES THE BAR WITH
NEW SDL3 SPORT DASH LOGGER
MoTeC has released the new SDL3, an evolution of the original Sport Dash Logger. Like
its predecessor, this new model is a fully programmable display, controller and
sophisticated data logger, all in one compact, robust device.
While it is physically familiar, the SDL3
boasts a new generation of functionality, with
numerous features inherited from MoTeC’s top
of the line Dash Logger, the ADL3. These
enhancements make the new Sport Dash
powerfully versatile for a diverse range of
applications, whether it is employed as a
stand-alone device or incorporated into a
complete engine management and data
acquisition solution.
SDL3 features include:
• 16 MB or 120 MB logging memory
(optional);
• Ethernet connection for fast logging
download;
• Greater processing power;
• Two independent CAN buses;
• Built in three axis G-force sensor;
• Built in backlight inverter (optional).
The SDL3 is a smart choice for
professionals and amateurs alike, with flexible
logging options that provide room to grow.
Those with considerable data requirements can
opt for maximum memory from the outset,
while customers with no immediate need for
data logging can purchase the Dash as a
display-only unit then enable logging later if
desired.
The screen layout is configurable via
MoTeC’s SDL3 Dash Manager software, which
now offers three ‘pages’ for practice, warm-up
and race so drivers can choose the most
relevant parameters to display during each
instance. With provision for up to 48 userdefined
warning alarms, the digital dash is an
invaluable tool in the cockpit.
For more information or to find the closest
dealer visit www.motec.com, email
support@motec.com.au or call 03 9761 5050.
TRW SPONSORS
WTCC
TRW Automotive has entered into a
multi-year partnership with the FIA World
Touring Car Championship to become the
first ever sponsor of the WTCC Safety Car.
Starting in Brazil in March 2010 and
continuing until November where the season
finishes in Macau, the WTCC is both challenging
and exciting, taking place at such great tracks
as Brands Hatch and the infamous Nurburgring
in Germany.
“We are very excited about the agreement of
the safety car sponsorship for the WTCC,”
TRW’s European Marketing Manager, Soren
Kristensen, said.
“It fits our brand position ‘safety where it
matters the most’ perfectly and we are confident
that the sponsorship will help us convey the
message of automotive safety in the aftermarket
segment.
“The safety car sponsorship as well as the
surrounding activities will play a key role in our
marketing activities this year, so we are very
much looking forward to the start of 2010
season.”
The choice of TRW as the Safety Car sponsor
is also a perfect fit for the FIA, which has rebranded
its WTCC Safety car with the Make
Roads Safe campaign logo. The Make Roads
Safe campaign is an initiative of the
Commission for Global Road Safety and has
been spearheaded by the FIA Foundation.
The United Nations has proclaimed 2011-
2020 a Decade of Action for Road Safety.
With road deaths set to double in the next
10 years, this landmark resolution aims to halve
the number of road deaths in the next decade.
AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 93

RETAIL
Australia’s leading shock absorber, steering
and suspension specialists, Pedders, has
announced the winners of it annual
franchise awards.
PEDDERS REWARDS FRANCHISES
Pedders Suspension held its annual
national conference in February in
Melbourne. As part of the proceedings the
organisation celebrated its 60th anniversary
and awards night. The following franchises
were recognised for their outstanding service.
Power Steering Awards
Victoria Winner – Geelong
NSW Winner – Wollongong
South Australia Winner – Keswick
Western Australia Winner – Osborne Park
Queensland Winner – Moorooka
Tasmania Winner – Hobart
Most Outstanding Sales Winner
Phillip
Top Labour Award Winner
Belconnen
Group A Top Store Award
Winner – Granville
Second – Blacktown
Third – Phillip
Group B Award
Winner – Ipswich
Second – Heidelberg
Third – Cairns
Group C Award
Winner – Burleigh Heads
Con Rouggos-Pedders Granville
Multiple Award Winner.
Second – Hobart
Third – Booragoon
Top Warehouse Award Winner
Lawnton
Top State Award Winner
Queensland
Top Distribution Award Winner
Granville
Top Retail Award Winner
Burleigh Heads
Top Sales Award Winner
Granville
Terry, Stuart and Darren from Pedders ACT Stores
– Winners of Most Outstanding Sales Award,
Top Labour Award and Group A Top Store Award
Third Place.
Tony and Brian from Pedders Geebung –
Directors Award
Directors Award Winner
Geebung
Top Regional (Kayden Dalliston) Winner
Bendigo
AUTOBARN 99 NOT OUT!
Automotive parts accessories retailer, Autobarn Pty Ltd, opened its 99th store in Lake Haven on Monday 29th March, 2010.
The 750 square metre store situated
at the Lake Haven Mega Centre, is fully
owned and operated by Alex and Liz
Theuma, who have recently moved to the
area from Sydney.
“We particularly like the people in the
area and the lifestyle and climate are
perfect, which made the decision to open
a business in the area an easy one and the
infrastructure and support Autobarn
offered us really sealed the deal,” Mr
Theuma said.
Alex and Liz bring to the newest
Autobarn franchise many years of retail
operations experience and will employ
upwards of four full-time and three parttime
staff.
“The Autobarn product, value and
service offer has always been well
received in New South Wales and we are
sure the huge new Lake Haven store will
replicate our continued success in the
state. The new store adds to the growing
number of new format stores in the group
and this customer friendly concept has
produced great results,” Autobarn
National Marketing Manager, Paul
Dumbrell, said.
The store held its grand opening on
Saturday, April 17 and customers were
treated to a host of spectacular opening
offers as well as the chance to enter into
a draw to win one of 10 $100 Autobarn
gift cards to spend in the new store.
StarFM was broadcasting from the
store from 10am to 2pm with giveaways
and plenty of fun and games. The opening
line-up also included a guest appearance
from Kev the Kiwi and Habib of Fat Pizza
fame. Plus, for the first 50 customers who
walked through the door received a
special Autobarn showbag.
There was amazing specials on offer as
well as giveaways and a free barbeque.
94 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E M AY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au