Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association

Serving the automotive parts, accessories, tools & equipment industry in Australia.REPCO AN ALL–ROUNDERRepco is not only one ofAustralia’s leadingaftermarket companies, itis the Platinum sponsorfor The AAAA TradeShow 2005 Banquet anda major exhibitor at Theshow with a stand at D2.Repco is one of Australia and New Zealand’s largestsuppliers to the automotive parts and accessoriesaftermarket with annual sales in excess of $800 million.With over 450 stores and a team of over 4000 talentedpeople the company satisfies the needs of over 36,000 tradecustomers.Repco has distribution centres in each state highlightingtheir commitment to fast deliveries and consistent partsavailability for the trade. Repco’s broad product range including workshopconsumables, touring and travelling, tools and equipment, under bonnet parts andaccessories, sound and performance, is constantly under review. Featuring on theRepco stand at The 2005 Trade Show will be the More Parts For More Cars Program,Tools and Equipment Program and customer partnering.In order to keep abreast of the latest technology, repair operations and vehicletrends, Repco Equipment has selected the best electronic and mechanical equipmentfrom the world’s leading garage equipment suppliers. Established over 25 years ago,Repco Equipment is one of Australia’s leading garage equipment suppliers.The Repco Hand Tools program consists of a comprehensive range covering allmajor hand tool segments. From tool kits to socket sets, including 1/4, 3/8, 3/4 and1/8 drive sets, torx and in-hex sets, impact sockets, screwdrivers, and professionaltorque wrenches. Six tool kits are available to choose from which will suit apprenticesright through to the master mechanics.Repco’s focus on the trade can also be seen with their Team Repco, Auto-Tech andPartsworks programs.Repco’s Team Repco program is a collection of services and benefitsthat Repco account customers can enjoy as members. It representsRepco’s strategy to be the customer’s first choice supplier in today’scompetitive market, and more importantly forge a strong commercialpartnership between Repco and its trade customer base.Repco Auto-Tech provides the increasingly important connection to modernvehicle technology for trade repairers in Australia.Auto-Tech is one of Australia’s leading Training and Technical Servicesproviders for the automotive repair trade. Auto-Tech supports the trade withindustry experts providing high level Training Clinics with over 5000Technicians attending training seminars throughout Australia each year. It also usesleading edge technology to deliver market leading diagnostic (Encyclopedia)software and Log Book Servicing software. This provides automotive trade users withessential high level technical information not easily available from traditional sources.Partsworks is Repco’s computer-based parts catalogue system, which is availablefor use by Team Repco Members. It is designed to assist members to quickly,easily and accurately find the right part for the job by drawing onthe information available on over 30,000 parts.It enables members to search for parts by vehicle, partnumber, description or product category and can even placeorders with the local Repco store by email or by fax. It issecure, fast and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, withproduct and pricing information updated by monthly Internetdownloads.AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE MARCH 2005 27

Man magazine saying that he now thinks that theimproved technology of 12 volt batteries maysuffice – even for micro-hybrid vehicles.He explained that originally there were twodrivers towards 42 V…, namely the growingelectric content of the vehicle and hybridisation. Ithas now become clear that the range of the 14Vsystem (12 V) can be stretched quite a lot, usingmore powerful alternators, intelligent energymanagement, etc.On the other hand, for hybrid propulsion, thelimited driving performance you can get out of a42V battery would be hardly attractive forcustomers, whereas a higher voltage by using asecond 12V battery for the hybrid propulsionsystem will yield really impressive drivingperformance. As a result, he said that most majorcar makers are no longer expecting mainstreamintroduction of 42V.Dual Battery SystemsDual battery systems traditionally have beenthe province of 4WD, marine or campingenthusiasts. Their use is expected to expand giventhe demands of modern vehicles with theirmultitude of accessories and increased reliance onbattery power. The opportunity that a dual batterysystem offers is to split the functions of enginecranking and cycling for accessory loads. Thenbatteries that are specialised for each function canbe used.Battery Monitoring SystemsBattery Monitoring Systems (BMS) are alreadybeing used for deep cycle and standby powerapplications where failure has a high commercialcost. Over the next few years they are also likely tobe more widely introduced.In fact, Eckhard Karden of Ford said that it isexpected that BMS will become a commodity,penetrating the automotive volume market fromboth highly equipped premium cars and dedicatedfuel-economy vehicles like stop/start.He also flags that BMS will be different forautomotive applications. He said that dynamicpower delivery and charge acceptance are at leastas important as the traditional State-of-Charge(SOC) and State-of-Health (SOH) measures.For example, he state that the cold-crankingcapability of an aged battery may be drasticallyreduced, whereas the capacity and SOC are stillacceptable. As a consequence, it is expected thatautomotive BMS using the State-of-Function(SOF) concept, which directly informs the vehiclelevelenergy management to which degree thebattery could currently perform any intendedfunction, be it cold or warm cranking, supportingspecific loads, delivering propulsion power, oraccepting charge.So it seems that batteries are having to copewith a greater use of electronic and electricalaccessory products and they, in fact, will merge intobecoming one themselves.Article courtesy of Century Batteries.AUTO ELECTRICALFEATURETOP GUN TO THE MAXMore spark means more power andeven if the electrical system of avehicle is fine, the spark still has to get tothe engine without any losses and that’swhat makes good ignition leads animportant part of a performance package.The environment under the bonnet ofa car is tough on electrical systems,considering the heat, vibration, oil, waterand general weathering. It’s amazing anyelectrical system can work at all, which iswhy ignition leads are so important.Modern engines place heavy demandson electrical systems. So leads mustdeliver high spark power to ignitedifferent fuel mixtures and provide goodinsulation to carry high spark voltages.If there’s even the slightest crack in alead or if there’s a loose fitting, it canmake a car virtually undriveable.MAX 300 represents the nextgeneration of ignition wires.While the MAX 300 cable ismanufactured in the US and features apatented technology, all wire sets aremanufactured here in Australia by TopGun.MAX 300 leads are built strong, theyhave a spiral wire (high performance)core and the cable jacket has a specialformulation applied to it that deliversmaximum heat, abrasion and tearprotection.The temperature rating of Max 300 issignificantly higher than most otherbrands, boasting a peak operatingtemperature rating of 315ºC. The spiralwound core (with lowered resistance)enhances the overall performance of theproduct.Max 300 kits are available to suit mostmakes of cars including V6 – V8 Ford andHolden as well as late model Japanese andKorean vehicles.For more information contactTop Gun on 02 9624 7444BLISTERING RELEASEFollowing the release of the popular upgrade displaypacks, Philips has launched a comprehensive retailblister and merchandising program for their halogenand incandescent automotive globes.The backing cards are a consistent size while thevery strong Philips branding shines like a beacon forcustomers.Philips has developed modular merchandising forthe blister cards that allows the retailer to quickly set upthe high impact system. Each of the seven globecategories has a quick ID header card and the globesare set vertically under each header. This allows thecustomer to choose the correct globe type from underthe range header.To make the selection even easier, Philips hasreleased a comprehensive vehicle application listing socustomers will be able to accurately select the correctglobe for their car. The globe part numbers are clearly marked on the each pack.“This should be a real bonus for retail stores as for many years now customers havehad to take up valuable staff time to find the right globe. We see that the complete systemwill help improve store efficiencies with customers able to find their globes withoutassistance” said David Clerk, Philips Australian Business Manager.For more information contact Invision Sales on 03 9330 2299 or visitwww.invisonsales.com or enquiries@invisonsales.comAUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE MARCH 2005 33

Australian Automotive Aftermarket AssociationOVERSEAS INTEREST INSHOW AT ALL TIME HIGHBehind the scenes it has been a non-stop effort from the AAAA, the volunteer committee in charge oforganizing the show and the Australian Exhibition & Conference company to not only enthuse localmanufacturers, suppliers, distributors and wholesalers to exhibit at the show but also to illustratethe benefits to overseas companies.There are a number of overseas associations that haverecognized the importance of The AAAA Trade Show 2005including Thailand’s DEP, Taiwan’s TAITRA and Malaysia’sMATRADE.TAITRA, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, made anearly commitment to The Show and worked to expand the number ofTaiwan based companies attending..Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion (DEP) officiallycommitted to support The Trade Show too. The Federation of ThaiIndustries (FTI) is sending an official trade mission of about 30delegates from over 20 automotive companies to the show and othermeetings plus factory visits over a period of four days. It was a greatachievement to persuade the FTI to agree with such a trade mission.These agreements led to Australian Exhibitions & Conferences(AEC) being inundated with requests for booths. The interest shownby Malaysia through Matrade, the Malaysian External TradeDevelopment Corporation, which has its own booth, was alsooutstanding..The show has blossomed as an international event with 66companies making the trip to Australia to show products, as well aslook at our range.Among the more than 330 exhibitors are companies from placesas far away as Shropshire, UK and Labem in the Czech Republic.A record number of Taiwan based companies (16) will be onhand as will seven from the US, two from Canada, four from HongKong, 18 from Malyasia and 11 from Thailand. The governments ofHong Kong, Thailand, South Africa and Taiwan through theirrespective trade organizations have been actively promotingattendance at The AAAA Trade Show to their automotive aftermarketcompanies.A SAMPLE OF WHAT’S TO COMETi Automotive from Shropshire in the UK isa global supplier of fully integrated fuelstorage and delivery systems for cars andtrucks, and fluid carrying systems for brakingand powertrain applications. The companysupplies almost 30 million vehicles made byevery major OEM in the world through itsnetwork of 100 facilities in 29 countries.Around half the company’s business is in theNorth American region with around 40percent in Europe, and the remaining 10percent is in the Asia Pacific region.Arays Wheels (Country Well Limited)is a Hong Kong company that is dedicatedto the production of aluminium alloy wheelsthrough the use of low pressure die castingand it can make rims from 12” to 28” inchin a number of specifications and finishes.This is a one of China’s new automotivesuppliers, its Shanghai plant is just beenexpanded with six new lines of lowpressure die-casting machinery, in total thatis 12 lines of machinery allowing forproduction of around 600,000 pieces peryear. A new plant is under construction inMongolia and it will house 16 lines makingaround 650,000 pieces per year, this plantwill be completed by July 2005.Li Do Electric Cable & Wire fromTaiwan will display its latest invention theAdapt Anyway polarity smart boostercable that is an automatic polarityregulator so there is no need to identify thepositive and negative terminals on abattery. The cable will switch automaticallyto suit the connection. This product ispatented worldwide and is a safe and easysystem especially for the DIY market.CAP Final Coat of Ontario, Canada is aspecialist in car care and appearanceprotection with a new and innovativemethod of keeping rust at bay. The CAPFinal Coat Electronic Rust Control ModuleCM-2000 is installed under bonnet andworks by drawing a small amount of DCenergy from the battery and directing itthrough a microprocessor, which converts itinto AC current. A pulse amplifier generatesa repetitive ‘pulse’ surface current, which isdistributed to conducting body panels tointerfere with the rusting process.Daetwyler of Thailand is a globalsupplier of silicone elastmer keypadassemblies and connectors for use inelectronic input-output devices, andsupplies products to many car makersincluding Peugeot and Alfa Romeo, as wellas OEM’s like Siemens VDO. The companyoffers a wide range of keypadtechnologies using rubber, plastics andhybrid materials incorporated into radiocontrols, air conditioning switches, cruisecontrols and multifunction stalks andswitchgear.40 AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE MARCH 2005 www.aaaa.com.au

BRAKE & CLUTCHBRAKE & CLUTCHJOIN THE DOTSWhat do you get when you join the dots on brake fluid?You can end up in a dangerous situation as not all brake fluids arecompatible and it can cause a complete system breakdown.The specification of brake fluid isdetermined by the US Department ofTransport. There’s DOT3, DOT4DOT5 and DOT5.1, each is differentand it relates to the base of on whichthe fluid is made. For instanceDOT3, DOT4 and DOT5.1 are glycolbased while DOT 5 is silicone basedand it is the only one that is nonhydroscopic– in other words itdoesn’t absorb water. DOT 4 andDOT5.1 have additional propertiesnot found in DOT3, these offerhigher boiling points and less waterabsorption.You would think that to make iteasier there would not be twosimilar numbers that stand for brakefluid that is totally different. DOT5.1and DOT5 are worlds apart andthey should never be mixed, in factthey don’t mix.DOT3-4-5.1 fluids are compatiblesince their basic composition is verysimilar, you can mix them if you reallyhave to, the boiling point will drop butthe fluid will still work.However, DOT5 fluids do not mix withthe others and should never be usedtogether or the system will have to bereplaced. Yes, almost the entire brakingsystem including lines, fittings, rubberboots, master cylinder, valves –everything other than the brake padsand disc rotors, everything that mayhave come into contact with the siliconebasedfluid has to go. You cannot get ittotally out of the system by flushing.Silicone based fluids do not mix welland they are harmful to somecomponents like boots and othersilicone rubber items in a brakingsystem. Silicone based fluids can only beused in specially engineered brakingsystems set-up to take the DOT5 fluid.The other problem if you use asilicone based fluid in a worn or olderbrakesystem isthat theDOT5 willattach itself very easily to anycontaminants in the system and form ajelly like sludge that will attract more andmore contaminants and it will eventuallyrender the braking system useless. It isnot surprising therefore that theindustry is not actively developing moresilicone based fluids.Most braking systems will absorbaround two percent of water just beingin a car for year and any water in thesystem will reduce braking efficiency.That’s a good reason to flush a brakesystem at least once every two years.Justbecause DOT5fluids don’t absorb water itdoesn’t mean that none will getinto the system, they don’tabsorb it but they also don’t repelit. It just means that the water willremain as a separate entity and sink tothe lowest point in the system as it ismore dense than the brake fluid. It willaccumulate and probably corrodewhatever part it comes into contact withsince it will remain in that section, soyou still need to flush a system regularly.Brake fluid is incompressible that’swhy it’s used, and any amount of waterof water in the system will spoil that.Water will turn to steam in a brakingsystem because of the hightemperatures involved, typically a brakefluid has a dry boiling point of between200ºC and 300ºC. When the water issteam the little bubbles are gas and soare compressible, you have to thencompress these before you can getanywhere near maximum braking fromyour system – the more steam, themore bubbles, the worse the pedal feel,the worse the braking effort.There’s a dry boiling point of brakefluid, and there is also a wet boiling pointand the difference between the two isthat dry is the temperature at whichbrake fluid will boil in a non-AS AN EXAMPLE COURTESY DISC BRAKES AUSTRALIA (DBA):Brake Fluid Dry Boiling Point Wet Boiling PointDOT3 205ºC 140ºCDOT4 230ºC 155ºCDOT 5.1 260ºC 180ºC44 AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE MARCH 2005 www.aaaa.com.au

FEATURENEW CATS,NEW SPONSORSHIPS,NEW MOTOSPECSMotospecs has been under the gun gettingtogether a range of new products,sponsorships and catalogues in time for TheAAAA Trade Show 2005.contaminatedstate. Wet is the temperature atwhich it will boil after it has beencontaminated with moisture.There are a number of propertiesthat brake fluids must exhibit in orderto work in a braking system – obviouslyfreezing is not on, nor is corroding orreacting with the materials used in the brakingsystem. Both these would definitely cause major brake failure.In most cars DOT3 or DOT4 is the norm, both work just fine andare easy and relatively inexpensive to get. DOT3 is more likely toabsorb water quicker than DOT4 and should be used up more quicklyonce opened.DOT5.1 is obviously the top choice as it offers the betterperformance but in a basic road going vehicle it’s not going to be anadvantage as the other formulations will do the same job, andperhaps better as an ordinary road car will not achieve high brakingtemperatures like those in a performance or race vehicle. This brakefluid should be used in high performance vehicles and for motorsportapplications.DOT5 would in most cases necessitate the rebuilding, redesigningand refitting of an entire brake system in order for it to be compatibleand used and the advantages are not that great. In some vehicles itmay have been used as the OE specification and in those cases itmust be used throughout the life of that braking system.There’s a new Champion ignition and electricalrange and catalogue, Echlin ignition parts, a newrange for Maxi Trac 4WD parts, Kelpro andFuelmiser products plus the The Ferodo ChampionV8 Race Experience Car will all feature at theMotospecs stand at the AAAA Trade Show 2005.This year is so special for Motospecs that itwill showcase its brands on two new stands, asthe newly formed Drivetech ATP Transmissionand Steering Division of Motospecs will have itsown stand in the transmission section of theshow.At the moment the company is in the processof working on naming rights for Mountain Straightand Murray’s Corner at the Mount Panoramatrack in Bathurst NSW, and the Symmons Plainsround of the V8 Supercars. Ferodo has alwayshad an affinity with Bathurst through the HardieFerodo days in the 1980s with Allan Moffat, whowon on The Mountain numerous times usingFerodo products.Champion Ignition & Electrical has also shiftedup a gear releasing the new Champion Ignition &Electrical Catalogue, which is the company’s mostcomprehensive catalogue in the marketplace todate and incorporates 295 range additions.Maxi Trac 4WD has had a facelift with a newproduct manager in Norm McDonough, and newproduct ranges and programs. Recently launchedis the Maxi Trac 4WD suspension program,which will be showcased this year on theMotospecs stand.For sales and distribution enquires pleasecontact Motospecs on 02 9847 5777or email ms_sales@motospecs.comor visit Hall 3 Stand I32at The AAAA Trade Show 2005.AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE MARCH 2005 45

Australian Automotive Aftermarket AssociationAUSTRADE’S TIPS FOR ASPIRING EXPORTERSOver the comingmonths Austrade willprovide a series ofsix short features tohelp Australiancompanies preparefor export – and it’sJust In Time asThe AAAA Trade Showwill open doors tonew opportunities forAustralian automotiveaftermarket suppliers.ASSESS YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICESAustrade believes that there are many Australianbusinesses that are capable of becoming successfulexporters and so is providing export tips to helpbusinesses assess whether they have potential toexpand into new markets.Austrade’s Manager Education Programs LeighDerigo said that as an added benefit internationalcompetition encourages businesses to be moreinnovative and use new processes or technology.“Exporting businesses tend to generate growth ininfrastructure, production facilities, research anddesign, as well as ideas,” Ms Derigo said.“Austrade recommends that when businessesexplore their export potential, they should analyse theirbusiness before considering overseas markets. Theyshould consider whether their products or services areexportable, why they want to export and whether theyare capable of exporting now or in the future.“Planning and research are essential. Beforefocussing on possible overseas markets, a businessshould firstly review their products or services andcurrent clients,” she said.If businesses are interested in exporting, Austradesuggests that there are a number of questions thatshould be answered to see if they are ready to take thefirst steps towards a successful global future.These are the questions listed:• Are my current products/services able to bemarketed oversea?• Are my products/services unique in Australia andoverseas• Am I selling successfully interstate• Are my products/services competitive withoutprotection (tariffs or regulations)?• Can my products/services be used overseas• Do existing customers buy my products/services forquality, price, brand, uniqueness or after-salesservice?• Why do customers buy from me, rather than mycompetitors?• What is my value position?• Can I modify my products/services to suit overseasmarkets?• Must I repackage my products/services for overseasmarkets?• Can I transport my products/services overseas at areasonable cost?• Are there seasonal trends overseas that provideopportunities?• Do I provide warranties, guarantees or servicecontracts?• Can I increase production to meet greater overseasdemand?Austrade is an Australian Government agency thatassists companies of all sizes to develop theirbusinesses overseas.For additional information about exporting and trainingevents visit www.austrade.gov.au/newexporter.WHAT IS AUSTRADE?• Austrade is the Australian Governmentagency that helps Australian companieswin overseas business. It is representedin 109 locations in 57 countriesincluding an extensive domestic networkthroughout Australia.• Austrade offers practical advice, marketintelligence and ongoing support(including financial) to Australianbusinesses looking to developinternational markets.• Austrade provides advice and guidanceon overseas investment and joint ventureopportunities, and helps put Australianbusinesses in contact with potentialoverseas investors.AUSTRADE’S SERVICES TOAUSTRALIAN COMPANIES INCLUDE:• practical export information and advice• identification of overseas opportunities• on-the-ground exporting supportoverseas and in Australia• a comprehensive trade exhibitionprogram• services to identify potential overseasbusiness partners and to research andaccess high potential markets forAustralian companies• strategic export planning and networkformation servicesGeneral information is provided at no chargeand is available either through the websiteor by speaking with an export adviser on13 28 78.Specific tailored advice is provided basedon a quote in advance, the fees are basedon an hourly rate and service levels areguaranteed.56 AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE MARCH 2005 www.aaaa.com.au