WHEN CAR MANUFACTURERS LEAVE by Paul Marinelli
Changes in the automotive industry
This headline may be stating the obvious , but it is also absolutely true and it is something that mainstream media are yet to seriously understand . Once local car manufacturers close their doors , we , that is , all Capricorn Members along with the rest of Australia and New Zealand ’ s automotive aftermarket industry , become the sole automotive industry . The massive media push behind the “ end ” of the automotive industry has been almost completely ignorant of some major points regarding the rest of you that are committed to this industry for the long term . This commitment takes the form of your family , small , medium or large sized businesses . Your automotive business , no matter how big or small , is part of an annual Australian / New Zealand automotive aftermarket industry contribution of well over $ 100 billion to the economy each year . Those Australian and New Zealand companies that locally design and manufacture world class automotive aftermarket components export $ 800 million worth of products annually . Your industry is not dying , it is growing with even more potential for future expansion . No matter what anyone tells you or what the doomsayer headlines in the press may project , your services will be in demand for a long time to come for a number of logical reasons . Whatever the mobility , be it Petrol , Diesel , Ethanol LPG , future fuels ( such as Hydrogen , etc ), Electric , Hybrid and whatever else is developed in the future , even autonomous vehicles , some things are absolutely certain . People will still need to sell , maintain and improve these vehicles to ensure reliable mobility . Another important point is that many vehicles don ’ t remain in their original specifications for very long . This is particularly the case for Four Wheel Drive , SUV and performance vehicles . The aftermarket , particularly the Australian and New Zealand aftermarket industry , is constantly developing components that enhance vehicle safety , performance , aesthetics , fuel economy and reduced emissions . Given the vast and continually growing number of makes and models on our roads , independent automotive workshops , parts resellers and dealerships will be more in demand than ever to provide these enhancements . Push points for motorists always include improving vehicle safety , increasing their vehicle ’ s off road or performance capabilities , enhancing fuel economy or simply the desire for their cars to look and sound to their preference . Another point is that from the end of this year , every single car sold in Australia and New Zealand will be an imported vehicle , built to a global platform and not specifically for local conditions , as had been the case with a number of manufacturers to that point .
12 CAPRICORN IGNITION AUGUST 2017