Archives: Dealer Bulletins

Consultation on the National Electric Vehicle Strategy is now open, with the Government today releasing a consultation paper seeking views on proposed goals, objectives, and actions for the strategy.

The AADA welcomes the consultation paper as an opportunity to provide industry input and expertise to help shape a nationally led approach that ensures customers can access the best transport technologies available and help lower vehicle emissions.

Franchised new car Dealers play an important role in supplying Zero and Low Emissions Vehicles to the market and importantly also educate, inform, and assist consumers who are in the market for a new car. Franchised Dealers are also factory trained and equipped to repair and maintain electric drivetrains, so are well placed to respond to the logistical challenge of supplying and safely servicing these vehicles.

The AADA is engaging in the consultation process with members, government, and other automotive industry associations to formulate a submission. The consultation period closes on 31 October 2022 and the discussion paper is available to view online. The AADA welcomes Dealer feedback.

 

CONSULTATION PAPER

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

This is to remind you of the upcoming annual general meeting of the members of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association Limited. The details of this meeting are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday 11 October 2022
• Time: 2:00pm
• Place: Zoom video conference

Please register via the link below to receive the AGM papers and video dial in information.

REGISTER FOR AADA AGM

At the meeting, members will be asked to consider and vote to:

• accept the annual report
• accept the director’s report
• accept the auditor’s report
• accept the annual financial statements
• accept the outcome of the election of directors

DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF AGM & PROXY VOTING FORM

To: QLD AADA MEMBERS

The Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland is encouraging community members to ‘have your say’ on zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) via an online survey.

The purpose of the survey is to understand consumer preferences, their evolving needs and expectations, to inform policy development to encourage and support the uptake of ZEVs. Consumer feedback plays an important role in forming action plans for the QLD Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032.

As part of their ZEV strategy, QLD set a target of 50 per cent of new car sales to be ZEVs by 2030, moving to 100 per cent by 2036. The survey results may inform decisions around the next phase of incentives that the QLD Government could introduce to encourage consumers to choose a ZEV as their next vehicle. Some of the suggested incentives would target both consumers and manufacturers with options including:

• Interest-free loans
• Additional fast chargers
• Subsidies for upfront purchases
• Registration discounts and tax incentives
• Parking and lane privileges
• Assistance with home energy bills to people charging at home
• Introducing a gradual ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles over several years

AADA was requested to share the survey through our networks and encourages members to do the same. While the survey appears to be primarily designed for customers, you can also have your say as a consumer on the direction of QLD’s ZEV strategy by completing the online survey.

The survey closes at 11:00pm on 23 September 2022.

 

COMPLETE ONLINE SURVEY

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

This is to advise you of the upcoming annual general meeting of the members of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association Limited. The details of this meeting are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday 11 October 2022
• Time: 2:00pm
• Place: Zoom video conference

REGISTER FOR AADA AGM

At the meeting, members will be asked to consider and vote to:

• accept the annual report
• accept the director’s report
• accept the auditor’s report
• accept the annual financial statements
• accept the outcome of the election of directors

DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF AGM & PROXY VOTING FORM

Notice of 2022 AADA Board Elections & Nominations

The new AADA was established in 2014 by its Founding Members.

The AADA Constitution provides that 2022 is the seventh year that Members are invited to vote for their representative.

In 2022, the representative position that is up for election in your state is:

• Queensland: Nick Pappas – standing
• Australian Capital Territory: Peter Axiom – standing
• Northern Territory: David Hayes – standing
• Western Australia – Tyson Sutton – standing
• Victoria – John Eastham – standing

Suitably qualified and experienced motor vehicle Dealers are invited to stand and contest the election to represent their State in the forthcoming elections. The closing date for nominations is 13 September 2022.

Interested parties should confirm their desire to stand for election in writing to the AADA Returning Officer, Vinesh George at PO BOX 4236, Bexley North, Sydney, 2207, NSW or by email vinesh@vsgeorge.com.au.

If no other candidate contests the election in the States listed then the proposed candidates (above) or any single nominee will be duly elected and serve a 2 year term.

All candidates must comply with the AADA Code of Practice regarding Elections, which will be provided upon a candidate standing.

AADA Directors serve in an entirely voluntary capacity and donate their time and experience to give back to the industry. More details of the role and likely time required to fulfil the role can be provided by the AADA.

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

There is a new category of domain names in Australia. These shorter and simpler domain names will end in .au rather than .com.au, .net.au, or .org.au. Since March 2022, Australian businesses, associations, or individuals have been able to register for this new category of domain name. All Australian businesses will have until 20 September to reserve their .au equivalent domain name, at which time, it becomes available to the general public.

This change can create a risk for business, with cybercriminals able to register your .au domain name in an attempt to impersonate your business and conduct fraudulent cyber activities.

To help protect your business from cybercriminals, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recommends that all Australian businesses with existing domain names register their .au equivalents before 20 September 2022. The domain does not have to be used, but by reserving the domain, it will prevent cybercriminals from impersonating your business.

To reserve your .au domain go to The Priority Allocation Process website.

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

At a recent meeting with Treasury, AADA was informed of the Government’s intention to commence a review and consultation on the Point-Of-Sale exemption that Dealers operate under in the provision of finance. The exemption is being considered alongside a review of Buy Now Pay Later services.

A discussion paper will be released in October and will consider three outcomes in relation to the Point-Of-Sale exemption:

1. No change
2. Remove the POS exemption
3. Develop and implement a new arrangement which sits between full-licensing and the current POS exemption

It also appears as though there is some appetite to introduce better safeguards for BNPL and other credit products and consideration is being given to the implementation of a system requiring BNPL lenders to be authorised, undertake affordability checks on customer purchases, and comply with financial promotion rules. Borrowers will also be able to make complaints about products to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

AADA will circulate the discussion paper amongst stakeholders for review and feedback and prepare a submission based on recommendations of members and the AADA F&I Advisory Group.

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

To: ACT AADA Members

There is currently some media attention on reports that the ACT Government plan to introduce a ban on internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035. It comes as part of a reported strategy document that may be released later this week.

The AADA released a statement in response to the reports today, expressing our concerns that this policy will have adverse consequences for the industry and consumers in the ACT.

AADA is seeking to meet with Government and Opposition to further discuss the reports and to engage in the consultation process. We are also in the process of reaching out to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries to try and develop a joint position on this issue. We hope to ensure any policies to facilitate the uptake of low emissions vehicles are part of a national strategy and are fit for purpose so that automotive businesses and consumers are not disadvantaged.

 

AADA MEDIA RELEASE

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

Solar Victoria would like to hear from participating Victorian Dealers about the State Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program. They would like feedback about your experiences as a Dealer in the industry through a quick survey.

The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Please share your thoughts about:

• your organisation
• the impact the ZEV subsidy has had on ZEV sales
• issues or barriers impacting your ability to sell ZEVs
• the program, including resources and support offered by Solar Victoria

Click on the link to start the survey.

For full details on the ZEV Subsidy, or any questions, visit the information page for ZEV traders or contact them directly:

Solar Victoria

P 1300 376 393

E zevsubsidy@team.solar.vic.gov.au

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission is reminding businesses that products which contain button batteries, such as car keys or FOBs, need to be compliant with the new button battery safety standards when the new standards become mandatory on 22 June 2022.

Under the new mandatory safety and information standards, products must have secure battery compartments to prevent children from gaining access to the batteries and they are required to comply with warning and information requirements.

The new standards were first introduced on 21 December 2020, with an 18-month transition period to allow time for any manufacturing or design changes to products and to remove stock that is no longer compliant.

All participants in the supply chain are responsible for complying with these new safety standards and include manufacturers, importers, distributers, and retailers of consumer goods containing button or coin batteries in Australia. As such, it is important for Dealers to work with their Manufacturers to ensure the due date for compliance with the new mandatory safety standards is adhered to for any products containing a button or coin battery. It is important that Dealers make themselves familiar with the ACCC business guidelines.

Once the standards become mandatory the ACCC will focus on enforcement action and penalties may apply for businesses that do not comply.

For further information, please visit the ACCC Product Safety website.

 

DOWNLOAD DEALER BULLETIN