Refined diesel technology to help OEMs meet emissions targets Bosch has unveiled a series of improvements in diesel emission control systems that dramatically reduce the output of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx). Test cars equipped with the new Bosch-developed hardware have, in real-world conditions, emitted as little as 13mg/km of NOx. Currently, a new car in … Continue reading Bosch slashes diesel NOx emissions
TOYOTA is forecasting substantial growth in the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) market and, as a result, is set to expand its hydrogen hardware production facilities. Currently, Toyota sells 3000 FCEVs a year but, by 2020, it expects that figure to have climbed to in excess of 30,000 – because, in part, it plans to … Continue reading Toyota doubles down on fuel cells
Panasonic is reportedly developing lithium batteries that require half the current quantity of cobalt. The new battery designs are motivated by the increasing cost of cobalt, and the potential threat of shortages, which have come about as a result of surging demand for lithium-ion batteries. The battery production industry, which reportedly consumed 51 per cent … Continue reading Panasonic tackles soaring cobalt costs
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has demonstrated a technology that could speed up and ease the adoption of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Its new membrane-based catalysing reactors can extract hydrogen from ammonia, which is comparatively easily handled and transported. This means that existing infrastructure can be utilised to transport ammonia to hydrogen filling stations, … Continue reading CSIRO breakthrough on hydrogen transport
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that new driving laws, designed to account for semi- and fully autonomous vehicles, will be introduced in 2020. Carolyn Walsh, chair and commissioner of the NTC, said: “Australian transport and infrastructure ministers have recognised that automated vehicles offer the possibility of fundamentally changing how transport is provided and … Continue reading New laws for autonomous vehicles in Australia
A suvey by market specialists ACA Research has revealed that Australia’s independent automotive servicing and repair sector is one of the best performing service industries. The research, which was carried out by ACA on behalf of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), also highlighted the confidence among many independents and the positive prospects at hand. … Continue reading Report forecasts growth for independents
THE Australian government has voiced unanimous support for a mandatory data sharing scheme that would grant independent workshops access to OEM vehicle repair information. Both Labor and Liberal parties threw their weight behind the proposed scheme during a debate held in the Federation Chamber on 25 June, in part due to issues with the voluntary … Continue reading ‘Right to repair’ escalates
US-based Bacharach, a supplier of safety and measurement hardware for the HVAC and refrigeration industries, has acquired gas analysis and handling equipment manufacturer Neutronics. The move will allow Bacharach, which was established in 1909, to further strengthen its position in the worldwide gas measurement and instrumentation market. Doug Keeports, CEO of Bacharach, said: “Neutronics is … Continue reading Neutronics acquired by Bacharach
The struggle to make car manufacturers open up access to service and repair data had been inaccurately described as a battle between franchised dealers and independent repairers, according to a leading industry spokesman. Franchised dealers were just as much in need of access to data from the brands they do not represent so they can … Continue reading Access to data ‘not a war’ between dealers and independents
Automotive technicians in the retail, repair and services sector – including air conditioning specialists – enjoy better employment opportunities and more chance of a lifelong career than many university graduates, according to industry leader Geoff Gwilym. Negative attitudes to the trades generally by secondary schools and governments, both state and federal, have led to a … Continue reading Trades lead to jobs, uni degrees not so much
