New refinishing system makes Australian debut

Wanda, a new automotive refinishing system, has been named official paint supplier for the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series in 2012.

The Wanda product range, produced by AkzoNobel, is entering the Australian market for the first time having been a leading brand overseas for more than 75 years.

Akzonobel says that Wanda is set to shake up the local automotive repair industry, with not only its compact and value-packed car refinishing system, but also fun and vibrant branding built around the V8 Utes and its brand ambassador ‘Wanda’ who always wears red.

The Wanda brand was given its name by the brand’s founder, whose daughter Wanda was born the same year the brand was launched. Wanda products are widely used in the USA, South America and more recently in Southeast Asia.

Australia’s Wanda girl will be hand-picked by AkzoNobel to feature in numerous promotional activities throughout 2012, including appearances at rounds of the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series.

A Commodore V8 Ute presented in full Wanda livery will also compete in the first round of series, which is a classic Ford vs Holden confrontation exclusively between Falcon and Commodore V8 Utes.

The eight-round series, which gets underway at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in March, runs as a major support class for the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

V8 Ute rounds will be staged in all states of Australia plus the Northern Territory in 2012, with the series concluding at the Sydney 500 at Olympic Park in December.

AkzoNobel’s South-East Asia/Pacific General Manager, Joe McFadries, said Wanda’s partnership with the Aussie V8 Utes category was an ideal way to launch the brand in Australia.

“We are very proud to have fostered this association with the V8 Utes and look forward to being at every track around the country as we bring Wanda to the Australian market in a unique way,” he said.

“Wanda products are known for their colour accuracy, simplicity and value for money. They offer a quality product at an affordable price and we’re sure the Australian market will love what we have to offer.

“We’re also sure that there’ll be strong demand for our products from the V8 Ute teams, too, because the racing is so close and competitive there’s always plenty panel rubbing and paint-swapping!”

Category Manager of V8 Utes Australia, Craig Denyer, said Wanda’s support of the quintessentially Australian V8 Utes Racing Series was a testament to the category’s image, popularity and professionalism.

“Wanda is one of the world’s fastest growing brands in the car repair industry so its decision to use the V8 Utes as a spearhead for its launch in Australia will only add to that momentum,” he said.

“Wanda’s involvement will create plenty of local interest in this new product range and no doubt rev up the Australian automotive refinishing market with its bold and fresh approach.”