Australia’s Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) has celebrated its first birthday, during an extraordinary year in the automotive aftermarket.
Featuring the latest technology, equipment, and customised service offerings, the AIC has unique capability that is creating new opportunities for automotive companies to fast-track product development.
In the 12 months since opening, the AIC and its dedicated team have grown from strength to strength, despite the challenges of COVID-19. They have kicked goals for their clients and impressed with a unique industry focus.
“When we launched, the AIC was a very new type of business with a lot of unknowns. We undertook in-depth industry consultation to ensure we launched with the best possible service offering, which we have further developed and evolved over the ensuing 12 months,” said AIC Managing Director Luke Truskinger.
“It has been an exciting year and despite the impacts of COVID-19, more opportunities than we could have imagined have presented themselves and this means we have been constantly learning and evolving even at our young age. Most importantly, we have a lot of happy customers”
Throughout the year, the AIC has completed a large number of varied projects for customers of all shapes and sizes, who have been impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities and the role the AIC can play in their product development activities. Customers have included: Disc Brakes Australia, Impact Import Group, Ironman 4x4, Saber Off-Road, Tough Dog Suspension, Harrop Engineering and Ryco Filters, to name just a few. The AIC has also been proud to support a number of companies through the Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants (AILAG) program, and with their subsequent development work.
“It is so satisfying to hear people say we are helping them and making a positive impact on their business. No matter what the project, we are committed to going above and beyond to ensure our customers are satisfied and this will continue moving forward.”
The AIC offers access to a vehicle fleet, the use of the cutting-edge workshop for test fitting, 3D scanning and post processing, 3D printing, dynamic vehicle testing (ADR 35/88) and ADAS calibration, a fully-fitted out training facility, laboratory-spec tensile/compression testing and a Damper Dynamometer.
2021 is shaping up to be another great year for the AIC with plans to grow the vehicle fleet further, and bring online new testing equipment, including hydraulic structural and vibration testing.
In the next phase of its development, the Auto Innovation Centre will also launch a South Australian facility in the first quarter of 2021, which will offer further benefits for the industry.
“We’re very proud of what we have accomplished and how far our facility and service offerings have developed during our first year. We are hopeful that 2021 will bring better conditions to facilitate product development for more customers across Australia and internationally. I’m excited about the future of the aftermarket industry and I’m proud that we can be part of that future,” said Luke.
More information on the AIC: www.autoic.com.au