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Engagement Update – December 2019

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

It’s been a busy and productive month of engagements for the AADA Secretariat in its advocacy efforts. CEO James Voortman was afforded the opportunity to brief both the House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science & Resources and the Coalition Backbench committee on the need for an Automotive Code.

Other engagements included a meeting with staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, meeting with officials from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science; attendance at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual dinner with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg; and a range of meetings with various elected members of Parliament and their staff.

In November, James spent three days in WA, speaking to over a dozen owner Dealers along with the MTA WA on local issues, the market and activities the AADA are working on. Whilst in Perth, James and Mark Korol (Member Engagement Manager WA) also made the journey to Bunbury to understand the prospective of rural Dealers.

AADA Magazine – November 2019

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The quarterly updated and published November 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

Register for Women in Leadership program

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

Thanks to St. George and supporting sponsors, a range of full and partial scholarships for women working in the automotive sector are available. The ‘Elevate’ initiative comprises two leadership development programs designed and run exclusively for emerging and mid-level female leaders within the industry.

Fewer than 15% of employees in the automotive industry are female, and women represent only 8% of automotive industry executives.

This project aims to help create balance, supporting women so that they can grow and lead in all aspects of the sector. Please share with relevant staff members so they are aware of this opportunity.

Registrations close 29th November 2019.

REGISTER

AADA and 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) are conducting the third Cox Automotive Australia Dealer Sentiment Index survey (CAADSI).

The 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.

The survey will be sent electronically to all Dealers over the coming week.

Please take a moment to share your opinions and recent experience by completing the 8-minute CAADSI survey.

On behalf of the AADA and Cox Automotive Australia, thank you for participation and support.

AADA CEO attends crash test

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

In September AADA CEO James Voortman attended an audit crash test of the Hyundai Kona Electric by the independent vehicle safety authority, ANCAP.

The electric version of the Hyundai Kona was able to maintain a 5-star rating which was carried over from its petrol-powered equivalent which was originally tested back in 2017, based on technical data supplied to ANCAP which demonstrated that the EV variant could be expected to achieve similar safety performance to the tested petrol vehicle.

Given the increasing focus on electric and alternative powered vehicles, and to verify the validity of manufacturer-supplied data for electric vehicle variants, ANCAP now selected the Kona Electric for this audit test.

The AADA is pleased to see, that the results of the test found that the behaviour of the petrol and electric versions of the Kona was consistent, though the Kona Electric actually performed slightly better in a couple of areas.

More information on safety rankings of tested vehicles can be found on ANCAP’s website.

CAANZ: Consumer Guarantees Guidance

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes
Last week CAANZ published guidance for businesses on the meanings of ‘safe’ and ‘durable’ in consumer guarantees in the Australian Consumer Law. This guidance was developed in response to stakeholder concerns about the meaning of these terms expressed during the 2017 ACL review. An earlier draft version of the guidance was released for consultation in January of this year. Stakeholder feedback was considered by CAANZ and formed the basis of a number of changes to the documents. CAANZ encourages stakeholders to review the guidance and distribute it as appropriate to their internal and external networks.

DOWNLOAD DRAFT GUIDANCE

NADA: Engaging dealership tours

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The 2020 AADA Study Tour to the NADA Show will feature an exclusive tour of three AutoNation dealerships. AutoNation is giant in automotive retailing in the United States, comprising over 300 locations and employing 26,000 staff. They have a vision and goal to be the best customer focused brand in the auto industry, and is making great strides into becoming just that.

Attendees will visit two high performing franchised dealerships, AutoNation BMW and AutoNation GMC, which underpin their success through a strong focus on customer service. They will engage with the dealership management teams and learn how a service focused discipline pays big dividends on referrals, repeat business, trade marketing for parts and vehicle service retention. Study tour participants will also visit the new AutoNation USA Las Vegas used car store, which is one of the USA’s best performing non franchise dealerships. There is much to be learnt from this dedicated used car operation in inventory management, stock presentation and online engagement.

This engaging dealership tour will enlighten and educate. Register your interest now and join us in Las Vegas in February.

 

REGISTER HERE

EVC State of Electric Vehicles Report

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The Electric Vehicle Council launched its third State of Electric Vehicles report in September featuring a snapshot of market data, charging infrastructure, consumer attitudes, local industry development, and government policy in Australia. Key findings include:

  • Australians purchased 2,216 electric vehicles in 2018.
  • By August 2019, there were 22 electric vehicle models available in Australia.
  • By the end of 2020 there are expected to be 31 models available.
  • There are now 1,930 public charging stations in Australia.
  • Consumer awareness is increasing, 45% of consumers have researched electric vehicles and 51% would consider purchasing or were currently looking to buy an electric vehicle.  Driving range and purchase price remain the biggest barriers.

READ FULL REPORT

Updates to AADA DealerNomics website

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The AADA have updated DealerNomics to include the revised federal electoral boundaries and the newly elected members of the 46th Parliament. The AADA has also increased the accuracy of the data by geo-coding each dealership in Australia to the electorate, as the basis for all of the economic contributions. Further, each dealership has been weighted based on the market share for the franchise/s they represent. This allows franchised new car Dealers to display the vital economic contributions made by their businesses to individual federal electorates and associated communities.

New car Dealers turnover almost $60 billion worth of sales, they collect billions in government duties and charges and employ more than 58,000 people in electorates across Australia.

We encourage members to pay their local Member and/or Senator a visit and demonstrate to them through DealerNomics, the important contribution which car Dealers make in their electorate.

DEALERNOMICS WEBSITE

 

Powerful Keynote Addresses at NADA Study Tour

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

Mary T. Barra Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors will detail their intention to create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

In her keynote address, “Building a Stronger Future for Customers, Dealers and General Motors” will share the company’s progress toward achieving its bold vision and the critical role dealers play in the future that will include electric and self-driving vehicles. Barra believes that to build customers’ loyalty and trust in a rapidly changing industry, it is more important than ever to keep them at the centre of our business.

Other Keynote speakers include The Right Hon. David Cameron former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

One of the most prominent global influencers of the early 21st Century, David Cameron served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016. Cameron will provide an unrivalled perspective on the future of the European Union and Britain’s place in the world following Brexit, and a unique insight on the rise of populist politicians and parties at a time of profound global change.

There is so much to be gained from being part of the AADA Study Tour to NADA. Register your interest now and join us in Las Vegas in February.

REGISTER HERE