The Australian Government’s JobKeeper support package has been extended to March 28 2021, with a few catches, while the Apprentice Wage Subsidy has been extended and broadened to include medium-sized businesses with up to 199 employees. JobKeeper eligibility tests requiring businesses to demonstrate ongoing impacts to their turnover will continue each quarter and the payouts … Continue reading Australian Government updates support packages from September 2020 onwards
The New South Wales Government is inviting submissions into its review of the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act that regulates the state’s automotive industry. In addition to providing a regulatory framework for motor dealers, recyclers, repairers and related trades plus standards of conduct and obligations for licensees, the Act contains compliance and enforcement mechanisms and … Continue reading NSW workshops invited to provide feedback on Motor Dealers and Repairers Act review
Those venturing out of home in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire face a $200 fine for not wearing a protective mask. This includes employees in the workplace unless a lawful exemption or reason applies. Advice from the Victorian government is that employers ensure their employees wear face coverings while they are working, unless lawfully exempt. … Continue reading Masks mandatory in Melbourne & Mitchell Shire: Your obligations in the workplace
Toyota Australia has opened the first stage of its new Hydrogen Centre, which is based at the Toyota Centre of Excellence in Melbourne. The inaugurated section of the new facility, which was opened on the 50th anniversary of the Earth Day environmental movement, is an education centre. It will teach visitors about the potential of … Continue reading Toyota establishes hydrogen foothold in Australia
Case Construction Equipment has unveiled the industry’s first all-electric backhoe loader, the 580 EV. The US-based manufacturer says its new machine, the show model of which was dubbed “Project Zeus”, offers the performance of a diesel equivalent in conjunction with lower operating costs and zero local emissions. It’s no light-duty backhoe loader, either. Power comes … Continue reading Case unveils first electric backhoe loader
Australian advanced materials company Talga has announced that it will be supporting the development of a new electrified axle for Bentley Motors. It is not yet known whether this will feature in an updated plug-in hybrid Bentayga SUV that is currently under development. Talga made the announcement following confirmation that it would receive £224,000 ($A415,000) … Continue reading Perth firm helping Bentley with e-drive axle
Promotional materials from car manufacturers rarely go into detail regarding the HVAC or thermal management technology of their products but high-end German brands such as Porsche and Audi sometimes publish something for VASA members to geek out on. The latest Porsche 911 Cabriolet is one such example. The company says its cabin temperature sensors are … Continue reading Porsche reveals HVAC tech details of 911 drop-top
A series of free online automotive air-conditioning webinars that took place in early June are now available to view online. Topics covered include system diagnosis, variable displacement compressors and the future of refrigerants, delivered by Michael Ingvardsen, who is president of VASA’s continental counterpart MACSPartners Europe and technical training manager at Nissens Automotive. Among the … Continue reading Recordings of free auto-AC webinars now online
The automotive service and repair industry has experienced a downturn caused by COVID-19 that is worse than that of the retail sector and almost as deep as that facing hospitality, according to survey data from the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association. However, Australian workshops are reportedly more satisfied with government assistance than all other small business … Continue reading Workshops hard-hit by COVID-19 but appreciate government assistance, optimistic about future
As part of national COVID-19 relief measures, the New Zealand Transport Agency is allowing vehicle owners a reprieve on mandatory Warrants of Fitness (WoFs) checks until October 10, but the NZ Motor Transport Association warns this could result in years of havoc for both workshop owners and motorists if left unrevised as lockdown restrictions lift. … Continue reading NZ Warrant of Fitness (WoFs) extensions could have dire consequences for COVID-hit workshops
