Sept - Oct 2001:News In Brief
In Brief
Calls for Senate Inquiry
State Member for Parliament in Perth, Graham Edwards, has called for a Senate Inquiry to be set up to investigate recent actions of the insurance sector. In addition, the MTA-WA is to send a letter to each Federal Member of Parliament urging them to consider the actions of the insurance industry in relation to the embattled crash repair sector.
Ford launches insurance product
Ford Australia launched its new insurance package in July. Called Ford Insure, the product is underwritten by SGIO Insurance and forms yet another part of Ford's 'cradle-to-grave' policy. Customers insured by Ford will be guaranteed Ford-approved parts in the repair process, lifetime guarantees and online claims lodgement. Recommended repairers will be Ford dealerships or dealer-recommended shops.
New Peugeot distributor
Singapore-based Sime Darby will take over distribution of Peugeot in Australia from the beginning of October. Three new models are due to go on sale following the move; the 206CC cabriolet, the 307 hatch and the 607 luxury sedan.
Houghton Ford for sale
Receivers Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu invited expressions of interest for the sale as a going concern, of WA-based Houghton Ford in July. The motor dealership with branches at Victoria Park, Welshpool and Fremantle, which includes a panel shop, has an estimated turnover of $60 million.
RACV builds new nest
The new $155 million headquarters of the RACV at 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne will feature four levels of hotel accommodation for RACV members, including a fitness centre, pool and squash courts. Construction will start in October and the nine-level tower will be finished in 2004. The RACV's operations centre at Noble Park will still be used by the company.
New Glasurit Service Centre
Robayne Distributors has recently been appointed to handle the Glasurit range of paint refinish products in WA's southwest. The company has set up a Southern Region Service Centre at Unit 5, 82 King Road, Bunbury (tel: 08 9791 7755).
Stelvio launches in Oz
Canadian accident management company Stelvio has entered the Australian market headed by former Lumley Technology general manager Jon Nicolls.
The Plains goes to Sikkens
One of Brisbane's largest panel shops, The Plains Smash Repairs is now a Sikkens customer. Owner, Don Clarke and his team of 25 employees found that Sikkens Refinishes were the perfect paint system for their business. Servicing customers from Logan City and beyond, The Plains Smash Repairs is well established as a quality repairer and carries accreditation from all the major insurance companies.
John Hughes opens second shop
The John Hughes Group has opened a new bodyshop on Welshpool Road in Perth to deal with its 'internal' work -- work from its huge car dealership business. The shop is understood to be a quarter the size of the massive John Hughes Automotive Body Repairs facility in Belmont, but is still some 1400 sq m in workshop size, employing eight staff. Rob Chant is manager of both shops.
Razzi, Bodyline JV
US company Razzi Corporation has recently completed a joint venture agreement with Bodyline Auto Accessories (Australia) to manufacture and market Razzi Ground Effects in Australia and New Zealand under a new division; Bodyline Automotive Restyling. Bodyline makes a complete line of body side mouldings and rear deck wing spoilers for the most popular Australian vehicles.
No plans for NSW shop
Rumours that BMW or one of its dealers was looking at the possibility of opening a BMW Bodyshop in Ballina or nearby northern NSW location were denied recently by BMW Australia's John van der Laan who said no such plans were in the pipeline.
Tray bodies from Toyota
Toyota has released its own range of commercial vehicle tray bodies under the Toyota Genuine brand. The bodies are available to fit HiLux 4x2 and 4x4 single, dual and extra cab models as well as LandCruiser 78 Series. Five tray models are available: general purpose alloy, heavy duty alloy, steel galvanised with smooth floor, steel galvanised with timber floor and steel galvanised with chequer plate floor.
Michelin moves
Michelin Australia has relocated from St Kilda Road, Melbourne, to 51-59 Fennell Street, Port Melbourne (tel: 03 8671 1000).
Mercedes shop that never was
Rumours that Mercedes Australia has a purchase or lease option on a site next to the new BMW Bodyshop in Port Melbourne, and was planning to develop it into a Mercedes 'super-site' bodyshop in a joint venture with two Mercedes repairers have been quashed by DaimlerChrysler senior manager Lukas Bogtstra. "To my knowledge, no such plan ever existed," he said.
Trust me, I'm a salesman
A Reader's Digest survey has ranked car salesmen near the bottom of a list of professions and institutions, in terms of trust, coming in 24th out of 25th. The profession that was least trusted by those Australians surveyed? Politicians of course. Oh, and journalists came in 20th, just below lawyers.
Viscount to Linpac
Pacifica Group has sold its 51 per cent share in Australia's largest injection moulding plastics business (which makes among other things, automotive trims), Viscount Plastics, for $44.5 million. The new owner is Linpac Group.
Danger in spot welders
A panel beater in Five Dock, Sydney, received a fatal shock from a 415-volt spot welder this year after he had pulled the machine apart to fix a problem and came into contact with a live wire.
New face at Enerpac
Arnold Mazur has been appointed Victorian territory manager for high-force tools specialist Enerpac.
Three strikes and out
Owners of Federally-registered trucks or buses caught breaching traffic laws more than three times in three years now face suspension of their vehicle's registration for up to three months said Minister for Transport, John Anderson recently.
Applied buys Zep
Applied Chemicals of Melbourne has acquired Zep International, a subsidiary of National Service Industries of the US. Both companies supply the motor industry with specialised cleaning agents and de-greasing chemicals.
Thrifty goes racing
Thrifty Car Rental Australia is now a major sponsor of the Victorian Racing Club. The Mackinnon Stakes will be sponsored by the company for three years.
Goodyear awards search
Goodyear has launched its annual search for Australia's heroic truck bus and coach drivers. The Goodyear Highway Heroes award seeks to acknowledge drivers who go to extraordinary efforts while at work to assist at the time of an incident. Call 1800 809 629 for a nomination form.