AM MAGAZINE SHELL - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine

NEWSDBA TAKES THE DIRECT APPROACHThe country’s largest producer of standardand enhanced performance rotors haslaunched a new national 1800 phone numberto answer braking queries.“It is a great way to talk to our customersand potential customers about what we knowbest: brakes,” Martin Peart, DBA’s NationalSales and Marketing Director, said.“There’s no charge for the service, andpeople don’t have to be in the process offitting a set of our rotors when they call.“We want to talk to people across the trade,to help them through technical problems andproduct queries, to give them suggestions, andto listen to their suggestions.”Mr Peart said staying in touch witheveryday needs at every level of the trade hasalways been a DBA strongpoint.He believes the main users of the newservice will include the company’s nationaldistributors, plus resellers, major chains, andfitters right down to those working at thesmallest of workshops. People who want tobecome resellers will likely use DBA Direct asa point of first contact.Disc Brakes Australia is awaiting your callMost callers will deal first with DBA’scustomer service team. If the inquiry requiresmore than basic product information, they willquickly be put through to fully qualifiedtechnical support.“And it will all happen immediately,” MrPeart stressed.The new phone line is 1800 730 039 andwill operate from 8am till 5pm (EST)nationally.To back up the DBA Direct initiative, thecompany is stepping up its regular visits tothe trade. It will be distributing promotionalsupport material to support this new service.“If there is any doubt at all, don’t hesitateto call. After more than 30 years, we’re stillhere and keen to help,” Mr Peart said.With facilities five national distributioncentres, DBA is dedicated to the highestlevels of service, and to constantimprovement in the design, development andquality of automotive rotors.This commitment has been recognisedwith a string of plaudits, most recently withthe 2009 gold ‘Excellence in Manufacturing’award from Australia’s respected AAAAorganisation.Mr Peart said DBA Direct provides yetanother way of communicating with the tradeand expanding knowledge about DBA’s broadrange of standard and premium rotors.“The message is clear: for all your discbrake inquiries, ring DBADirect on1800 730 039,” he said.More information can be found at Disc BrakesAustralia’s comprehensive website:www.dba.com.auSAFEST CARS FOR YOUNG DRIVERSThe results of a NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and NRMA Motoring and Services study of more than 3.6 million secondhandvehicles are good news for young drivers in the market for a reasonably priced and safe second-hand car.NRMA vehicle safety expert, Jack Haley,said there were several models that ratedextremely well in crash safety ratings andpriced right for young drivers seeking theirfirst car.“The 2005-07 Ford Focus and 2001-07Peugeot 307 were rated top of the class forvehicles costing upwards of $6500,” MrHaley said.“For drivers seeking a cheaper but justas safe car, the 1996-99 Chrysler Neongained a similar rating for vehicles less than$2000.”The study, conducted by MonashUniversity Accident Research Centre, usedmore than 3.6 million vehicles and740,000 injured road users involved incrashes from 1987-2006 that werereported to police in Australia and NewZealand.The ratings cover 239 popularpassenger and light commercial vehiclesthat are up to 17 years old.NSW Centre For Road Safety Director,Dr Soames Job, said the ratings reflectedthe overall impact of these models on roadsafety.“The comprehensive ratings included ascore for driver protection and the vehicle’scrash impact on other road users such ascyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians,” DrJob said.“Parents should consult these ratings ifthey are purchasing a vehicle for a youngdriver in the family.“They can be assured good protectionfrom injury to their child and other roadusers in a collision.”More than half (118) vehicles wererated good or excellent while more than onein 10 (25) rated excellent.Dr Job said the best performing vehicleswere European and Japanese designedwhile a range of large Australian made carsscored above average on total safety butnone were rated excellent.“Small and light cars, commercial vansand utes received low ratings due to thehigh injury risk they posed to their ownoccupants and other road users in acollision,” Dr Job said.“Pre-1995 models dominated the worstperformers showing the gains that havebeen made in the occupant protectionperformance of newer vehicles due toprograms like the Australasian New CarAssessment Program crash test program.”Used Car Safety Ratings can be found byvisiting www.mynrma.com.au/ucsr orwww.rta.nsw.gov.au.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 F E B R UA RY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au