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Author: Ashleigh Sykes

WLA Connect

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) has launched a brand new networking and learning hub called WLA Connect. This is a membership portal with three different packages to choose from. The platform is designed for women to gather, network, share and learn about being a female leader in today’s working environment. Members are able to access events, learning materials and forums where they can collaborate with women from the automotive sector and beyond. This is an important developmental initiative for women across the country. Features of WLA Connect include:

  • A curated learning laboratory filled with leadership development content
  • Expert masterclasses on leadership theory and practice
  • Face-to-face and online networking events
  • Member led contributions and recommendations
  • Peer coaching, executive coaching and mentoring opportunities.
MORE INFORMATION MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES

2020 ABS Motor Vehicle Census

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The 2020 ABS Motor Vehicle Census has been released on 29 May 2020. The data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the average age of passenger vehicles in Australia has now reached double figures and is 10.1 years. Tasmanian cars were the oldest on average, at 12.5 years and the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory are the youngest, sitting at 9.5 years, below the national average. The average age of light commercial vehicles including Utes in Australia is older than passenger vehicles at 10.6 years. Tasmanian Utes were the oldest again, at 13.5 years and the Australian Capital Territory is the youngest, sitting at 9.4 years. The national fleet of registered vehicles increased by 1.5 per cent over the past year, which was a slower rate of growth than the 1.7 per cent the previous year.

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Australian Women’s Leadership Symposia

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes
The Australian Women’s Leadership Symposia are a national series of events focused on the experiences of women leaders in the contemporary workforce. An unparalleled gathering of the best and brightest female talent, keynote speakers include Nova Peris, Ita Buttrose, Libby Trickett, Ann Sherry, Catherine Fox, Tammie Matson, Sallyanne Atkinson and many, many more. Due to COVID-19, the first three of these events will be delivered as both a one-day online event (over the next few months) and a one-day face-to-face networking session (much later in the year). With the health of our event delegates, speakers and sponsors our number one priority, we are adhering to the latest advice from authorities and may convert more of these events into a similar format as the situation unfolds. An attendance discount of 25% is currently available to attend by entering code ANSY20 at the time of booking (available until each symposium sells out). The 25% subsidy is in addition to any early-bird discounts that are already in place. A bonus webinar titled Leading Through Adversity Together is also included for new registrants.

INFORMATION & BOOKINGS

Amendments to the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services and Retail Award

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

In early April, AADA along with other employer groups convened by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), commenced discussions with the intention of modifying the Vehicle Services Award to give Dealers greater flexibility in their obligations as employers. The benefit of these temporary arrangements will provide Dealers not eligible for the JobKeeper scheme to keep staff employed and promote business continuity during the COVID-19 crisis.

Following extensive consultation with the ACTU, AMWU and SDA, we along with employer representative colleagues, ACCI, AI Group and VACC have now come to an agreement over the modified award and made application to the Fair Work Commission.

The application seeks to:

  • Provide flexibility around the range of duties that employees can perform, provided it is safe to do so and the employee has the necessary qualifications. Employees performing higher duties will be paid at the higher rate.
  • Allow for a temporary reduction in working hours for full-time and part-time staff who cannot be usefully employed for their ordinary days/hours, subject to minimum reduction requirements (60% for full-time and 75% for part-time), as well as fortnight minimum pay entitlements for employees on reduced hours and the ability to agree to top up any reduction with accrued paid leave.
  • Allow employees who are subject to a reduced hours to request to take on secondary employment, training or professional development. Employers must consider these requests and can’t unreasonably refuse them.
  • Allow employers to direct employees to take annual leave for reasons attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic or government initiative to slow the transmission of the virus with notice, so long as the employee retains a balance of 2 weeks annual leave.
  • Allow employers to close down operations for reasons attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic or government initiative to slow the transmission of the virus and direct employees to take leave having regard to their personal circumstances.
  • Ensure there is consultation with employees when any new arrangements are implemented.

This is a very positive outcome for Dealers not able to access JobKeeper and while it is scheduled to sunset on 30 June 2020, it is able to be extended to ensure it covers the duration of the current downturn.

AADA Magazine – April 2020

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The quarterly updated and published April edition of the Automotive Dealer Magazine is now available and can be accessed online.

This edition is packed with news and features providing crucial information and opinions on key issues impacting Dealer organisations and profitability.

Download your copy today.

Download Magazine

New Dates for 2020 AADA Convention

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The extraordinary events of the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis has determined that the 2020 AADA Convention which will be held at the ICC Sydney will be re-scheduled from 1-3 September 2020 to Monday, 15 March 2021 to Wednesday, 17 March 2021.

The theme for the rescheduled AADA Convention “Essential Reinvention – The Dealership of Tomorrow” will showcase that the Australian automotive industry is a resilient and robust business.

The rescheduled AADA Convention will herald a time when we can celebrate a new beginning and share the unique and innovative ideas that will be needed to ensure a better future.

The AADA Convention office will provide speakers, presenters and interested parties an opportunity to submit, review and resubmit workshop and program content in light of the COVID-19 challenges we will face in the coming months. Further communication will follow regarding this.

The AADA Convention office will be working remotely for an extended period as we follow the necessary protocols to protect our staff and our families.

Convention Office Hours:
Tuesday: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 4:30pm

Contact:
Office: 03 9576 9944
Patrick Tessier: 0412 685 857

NADA Study Tour 2020

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

In February, Australian Dealers who participated in the 2020 AADA Study Tour joined nearly 22,000 members of the automotive industry at the NADA Show 2020 in Las Vegas. They came together for four days of education, OEM franchise meetings and the NADA Expo.

A highlight of the trip was the Dealership Tour to AutoNation GM and BMW of Las Vegas. Mark Osmers, Sr. Director, New Vehicle Marketing for AutoNation USA gave Australian Dealers an overview of processes and initiatives that have delivered tangible outcomes in increased sales in New Cars and Service at each Dealership.

Other highlights of the AADA Study Tour included the AADA Gumtree International Relations Dinner attended by representatives of many of the world’s Dealer Associations, including an address by outgoing NADA Chairman Mr Charlie Gilchrist. In his remarks Mr Gilchrist encouraged Australian Dealers to work together in challenging times, commenting that we are much more likely to achieve exceptional outcomes as a collective than we are as individuals.

At the 2020 AADA Carsales Pentana Australia Party, 170 Australian NADA participants came together on the final evening to share their NADA experiences and listened to a brief address by AADA CEO James Voortman about the immediate challenges for Australian Dealers.

The 2021 AADA Study Tour to the NADA Show in New Orleans will be held 21 – 24 January 2021.

Cox Survey Results – Q4 2019

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The results of the third AADA and Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index survey are in and Dealers report that they remain concerned by the state of the market, falling profitability and below average buyer traffic. The latest survey conducted in Q4, 2019 is based on the responses of 84 Dealers.

Other negative factors affecting Dealers are new vehicle inventory levels and credit availability which continues to create difficulties.

While the outlook looks somewhat bleak, Dealers report that parts and service departments are continuing to perform at reasonable levels.

Full Report

AADA & Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index Survey

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The AADA and Cox Automotive Australia (owners of CarsGuide, Dealer Solutions, Manheim and Autotrader) have partnered to conduct the Cox Automotive Australia Dealer Sentiment Index survey (CAADSI).

This survey is designed to take around eight minutes to complete and the results will be used to provide a comparative measure of Dealer sentiment, taking in to account market trading conditions, economic barriers and Dealer attitudes towards profitability.

Please take a moment to share your opinions and recent experience by completing the below CAADSI survey.

AADA COX DEALER SENTIMENT INDEX

Thought Leadership Breakfast

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

On Friday 6 December, Vinesh George (Principal of VS George Lawyers and AADA Company Secretary) hosted a “Thought Leadership Breakfast” in Sydney.

There was a fruitful panel discussion on the issue of OEM sales targets, in which we heard from AADA Board Member Nick Strauss, Industry expert Ken Thomas and retired High Court Judge Mr Kevin Lindgren AM QC.

AADA CEO James Voortman was also able to participate in the panel discussion and was given the opportunity to provide an update on the AADA’s push for an Automotive Code.

The panel and host concluded that there was legal recourse in some circumstances when sales targets were unfair.