Established in 1978, the APA Journal is the independent gateway to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry.
A multitude of news, views, product releases and industry trends greets the reader each and every issue.
Inside the current issue
Winter 2010 Technology advanced batteries OK, one reason for writing a story that starts with the description of the new lithium-ion battery now available in some Porsche models is that we get to run a picture of a Porsche, a feature no automotive-focus magazine should be without. Otherwise, it becomes a bit like a magazine about bikinis illustrated with nothing but Venn diagrams.
Apprentice of the Year Award The 2010 National Apprentice of the Year Program is an initiative of the APA Journal and was launched at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Association Expo in Sydney last year. The companies that supported the event through sponsorships include Australian Apprentice Advantage, BOSCH, Force Tools Australia and Darren Morgan Racing (DMR).
Nominations were received from around the country and throughout the year, eleven apprentices where profiled but only three where short-listed for the award. These finalists included Miskle, Bryan Chan and David Slade.
Electric Power Steering The time of electric power steering has finally come. Not that it hasn’t been here before. Electric steering has been available in production cars since the launch of the Honda NSX in 1990. Honda followed this up with a similar system in the Honda S2000 in 1999. BMW introduced its first electric system on the Z4 in 2002, and added an electric “active steering” system to its 5-series in 2003.
Retail Demand Planning Demand planning could be defined as the art of getting the right stock to the right store at the right time. It ain’t easy, as any retailer will tell you, but new tools and methodologies make it easier to get the mix of supply and demand right.
POS in the cloud Effective point-of-sale systems for auto parts retailers using cloud computing
Newsletter articles
MORE DRIVEALIGN® TENSIONER AND IDLER PART NUMBERS RELEASED Gates recently released 3 NEW Idler Part Numbers & 4 NEW Tensioner Part Numbers into the range, covering 8 various applications, whilst also identifying an additional 12 NEW applications from our existing DriveAlign range. New applications include: Mitsubishi Magna, Holden Commodore, Toyota Landcruiser and Toyota RAV4.
EU tightens rules for carmakers Carmakers will find it more difficult to insist on where cars are repaired and which spare parts are used under new rules unveiled recently by European Union regulators. Under the new rules, carmakers will no longer be able to make warranties conditional on having an oil change or other car services take place only in authorised garages.
Nokia smartphone for cars Handset manufacturer Nokia has released a new technology it hopes will be adopted as an industry standard for connecting smartphones with vehicles.
New automotive body The VACC (Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce), MTA-Queensland, MTA-NSW and TACC (Tasmania), have broken away from the national motor trades body, MTAA. This has led to a new national representative body, AAIA (Australian Automotive Industry Association) being established.
Surface detail Autoglym’s Surface Detailing Clay Kit prepares paint surfaces on cars for the application of polishes and waxes by removing industrial and environmental contaminants. The kit it contains a clay bar, rapid detailer spray, super resin polish, polishing cloth and a microfibre cloth.
Autoglym
Tel: (02) 9680 4464
Jeffrey Miskle from Steven Duffy Automotive in Tamworth, NSW is our inaugural APA Apprentice of the Year Award winner!
Jeffrey will be officially awarded the title on June 13th at Willowbank Raceway www.willowbankraceway.com.au during the "2010 Castrol EDGE Winter Nationals" opening ceremony. The ceremony will be televised on HD one TV. Darren Morgan
Top Fuel celebrity will be presenting Jeffrey with a trophy to commemorate this great achievement. Jeffrey will also have the privilege to spend a few days with Darren and his crew. Jeffrey receives a limited edition Darren Morgan Force Tools tool kit, $1000 certificate from Bosh and will be flown and accommodated by Australian Apprentice Advantage Group.
We like to give a very special thank you to our Judges for their support, Stewart Flinders, senior educator auto body and specialist trades at Automotive Centre of Excellence, Derek Hermann Managing Director Force Tools Australia and Darren Morgan, DMR. Secondly to those who took the time to nominate an apprentice and thirdly to the apprentices who took part in the process.
We would also like to specially mention our top two finalists and recognise their great efforts, Brian Chan from Auto-Deutsche and David Slade from McRae Motors, good luck guys!
Don't forget to tune in on HD One for the race and ceremony!
WEB FEATURE - 2009 Industry Award: Rare Spares In just its second successful year, the Rare Spares “Legend” Award has already established itself as an industry favourite for both recipients and those involved in the motoring enthusiasts market.
Brand marketing that is focused on customer acquisition and conversion is what drives real value within the business in a measurable way. Recently while on an Industry Excursion in Sydney, The APA Journal heard some rather exciting news for the automotive industry.
Newsletter articles
MANN FILTERS FOR EUROPEAN CARS NOW December 1, 2009 - One of the world’s most successful automotive aftermarket sales companies, Hella Australia, has entered into a sales agency agreement with Mann and Hummel to market the premier quality Mann Filter engine, oil, air, cabin and fuel filters to the aftermarket.
ABS EXPANDS IN REGIONAL AREAS The south west Victorian city of Warnambool now has an ABS thanks to two local mechanics who both realized the opportunity and acted to create their own business. And those two local tradesmen have every reason to smile with the business taking off in just the first six months since opening the doors.
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