Page 10 - Australasian Paint & Panel Jan-Feb 2023

NEWS
10
PAINT&PANEL
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023
BRIEFS
ACM BEEFS UP QLD
ACM PARTS HAS TAKEN ON A NEW
lease in Hemmant, Queensland. The site is optimally located in proximity to the Port of Brisbane and the Gateway Motorway. The larger facility will sup- port the expansion of ACM Parts’ re- claimed, new, and aftermarket parts as well as consumables.
Executive General Manager, Adam O’Sullivan said “this new distribution centre will allow us to expand ACM Parts’ inventory holdings and build a stronger position within the mechanical and collision supply market.
ACM expects to be fully operational from the site from March 2023.
ASRA’S NEW EO
THE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
and Repair Authority (AASRA) has ap- pointed Rodger Nardi as executive of- ficer (EO).
The EO position has been created to
pair professionals across the country. The new role also allows AASRA to bet- ter prepare and respond to future chal- lenges relating to the law as technology, and the industry evolves.
Nardi will work closely with key stake- holders involved in the MVIS law, in- cluding government departments, regulators, industry associations andasrequired,theACCC. With over 20 years’ experience working in the automotive aftermarket Nardi brings a wealth of knowl- edge to the role and has a deep understanding of the importance of this
law for the industry.
further strengthen AASRA’s role managing the day-to-day operation of the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS).
Nardiisresponsiblefordevelop- ing strategic business plans, over- seeing the sustainable growth of AASRA, and delivering process and system improvements
to ensure the MVIS is being delivered at the highest quality to service and re-
of
JAC IS BACK
Chinese car maker JAC is launching an electric and a diesel dual-cab ute in Australia. JAC Motors has confirmed it will expand in
Australia with the introduction of two new 4×4 dual-cab utes, both diesel and electric, and both made in China. The diesel JAC T9 ute will launch in Australia in June 2023, and the electric ute version will follow in Q2 2024.
JAC has had a crack at the Australian market before but left 10 years ago. The two new utes are said to be highly specified and the company is aiming for a five-star ANCAP rating.
EV TECH SHORTAGE
MTA NSW warns there are close to 50 000 workers in the automotive industry that need to be trained to safely handle EVs.
Without government financial support it’s feared the industry will be left severely underprepared to meet 2030 targets, amid a lack of available training places. The Motor Traders’ Association of NSW (MTA NSW) is urging the state government to help fund electric vehicle (EV) safety and repair training, warning that there are 49,000 workers that need to be upskilled to safely handle and repair EVs in order to meet state and federal targets of transitioning to EVs by 2030.
DUTY-FREE EVS
A new government scheme will exempt EVs from import tariffs and from fringe benefits tax, making the vehicles more affordable for employers to include in salary packages. Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said: “This bill will allow thousands more Australians to get behind the wheel of an EV where they can access the benefits of lower fuel bills, cutting pollution, and an enjoyable driving experience.