Q: Did your members face any challenges during the COVID? Elaborate.

Charity: As the pandemic started to impact Australia in February, our members initially faced the uncertainties of the virus itself and how that would affect their businesses, customers, employees, and the economy. State and Territory Governments then started imposing various levels of restrictions on people movement and trade. This affected (to varying degrees) large portions of manufacturing, distribution, retail, and automotive service and repair across the country.

Our members then faced the challenge of interpreting hastily constructed and not always coherent new regulations and sought answers to whether they could remain open, and if so to what degree.

Businesses also had to navigate the various Government assistance options available, make difficult decisions around staff, faced the loss of revenue and customers and worried about the short-term survival of their businesses.

Following a national lockdown from March through to May, Australia regained control of infection numbers, and once restrictions started easing businesses exhibited substantial recoveries. However, the state of Victoria (the second largest in Australia) was hit with a second, much larger COVID-19 wave in June. The Victorian Government responded by imposing a hard lockdown of metropolitan Melbourne which ran from July until the end of October. It is only now that restrictions are slowly being wound back, that Melbourne based businesses can start their process of recovery.

Q: What are the learnings for AAAA from the pandemic and how the association supported its members during this time?

Charity: We were proactive in our approach to the pandemic, but of course no one was fully prepared for how events would turn out and the scale of the impact on our economy.

As the first wave hit, we received an unprecedented influx of members and the broader industry who turned to the AAAA seeking information and assistance. Our primary role was to influence and interpret Government regulations and support offerings and provide clear and timely information to our members. Regular, accurate updates assisted our members in making the best decisions and receiving the Government support they needed.

Due to the high level of demand for this information, we had to adapt and further strengthen our communication methods quickly. We added online webinars to our repertoire of communication channels to provide information to as many people as possible. Webinars provided the additional benefit of allowing direct, live member Q&A sessions.

Members had direct access to our advocacy team during the crisis, and the team were inundated with individual requests and queries asking for advice concerning the pandemic, the Government response and their particular situation.

We were successful in lobbying Government to classify automotive repair as an essential service. As a result, the majority of our industry stayed open throughout the year, and we have lost very few staff from the industry, which is a remarkable achievement.

The innovation that was displayed right across the sector was inspiring-mechanical workshops implemented contactless drop-off and pick up systems, adopted SMS and digital communications to inform their customers that they were still open and implemented a range of process changes to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.

Our parts supply chains had to deal with working from home arrangements, scaled back staffing in distribution centres and a whole range of logistical challenges to ensure the trade had the right part, at the right time for the right price.

Automotive retailing also held up remarkably well right throughout the year as people with disposable income and extra time worked on their cars.

We also learned how resilient our industry is. Despite the challenges, we saw incredible resolve, determination and support across the industry and ‘being in this together’ unified everyone toward common goals, putting aside competitive rivalries for the greater good.

Q: How are online sales in the automotive parts retail segment evolving in Australia?

Charity: While online sales of automotive parts and accessories have grown over the past five years due to the strong consumer uptake of online shopping in general, they still make up less than five percent of the overall market. The diversity of the Australian car parc and the need to ensure parts meet exact specifications means that many consumers and trade customers still buy from traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers and resellers. Having said that, outside of the online marketplaces such as e-Bay, the majority of online sales are through the large traditional retail groups such as Supercheap Auto, Bapcor (Autobarn/AutoPro) and GPC (Repco/Sparesbox). While Amazon attempted a major push into online retailing of automotive parts and accessories several years back, they have not been able to gain significant market share from the established online retailers.

Q: What is the role played by AAAA whenever issues crop between nations on Tariff etc.? Is there any impact on imports of aftermarket products from China?

Charity: We take a proactive approach to address any tariff issues that arise from time to time that have the potential to impact on our membership. An example of this was in 2019 when the Trump administration was considering imposing a Tariff of 25 percent on automotive products exported into the USA based on national security grounds (section 232). The USA is our largest export market.

We were able to lobby for our Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to engage with their US State Department counterparts to advocate for Australia’s interests with the US Administration. This involved direct representations by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister as well as our Ambassador to the USA to put the position that the products that the Australian industry supply into the USA complement rather than compete with US manufacturers. Ultimately the Trump administration did not proceed with the Tariff.

We have not experienced any issues with the import of aftermarket products from China other than some isolated supply issues earlier in the year as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 on China’s manufacturing sector.

Q: The connected vehicle is a boon for the users; how is it for the aftermarket industry?

Charity: Similar to other new technologies, connected vehicles present new opportunities for the aftermarket; however, at the same time, challenges have presented themselves. Over the years as vehicles include more and more electronics, both hardware and software, it has made it more difficult for independent service and repair workshops to access software updates and repair and service information from car manufacturers. This has a flow-on effect on their ability to compete with dealerships on fair and reasonable terms in servicing and repair of vehicles. We have campaigned for over ten years to have a law implemented that compels the manufacturers to share this data. In great news, a mandatory data sharing law will be introduced in Australia in 2021, which will force all car companies to share all repair and service information with all repairers on fair and reasonable commercial terms.

Despite the advances in the connected car, the fundamentals of vehicles have not changed. Components need service and repair, and vehicles remain open to all manner of modifications and customisation. In Australia, changing government regulations can impose challenges regarding the modification of vehicles; however, we have a constructive dialogue with regulators to ensure our members can continue to offer safe accessories and modifications for vehicle owners.

Q: What percentage of sales in Australia account for electric vehicles? What is the current EV parc? How does AAAA support its members in catering to the requirements of these new breed vehicles?

Charity: Electric vehicles continue to gain some popularity with sales volumes increasing year on year; however, they remain a tiny part of the Australian car parc. Electric vehicles account for only about 0.6 percent of the Australian market currently. Sentiment wise, consumers are more receptive towards owning an EV vehicle than five years ago. The main challenges we face are the lack of EV charging infrastructure and the vast distances involved in Australian road networks, as well as the price of EV’s compared to the equivalent internal combustion engine model. We don’t foresee any sizeable shift in the change to the car parc in relation to EV’s for at least another ten years.

At an AAAA-member support level, we are beginning to host information and training evenings that focus on EV safety and specific servicing requirements and monitor any changes in the car parc or Government regulations around EV’s that may have an impact on the industry.

Q: Can you briefly tell us about your initiatives in building professional skills to your members?

Charity: One of the core principles of the AAAA is to ensure member sustainability and foster member growth, with skills development an important component of this.

At Government level, we support and advocate for issues around skills and training. In Australia, there is a shortage of skilled labour, and our industry needs more apprentices to choose automotive as a career. Along with Government advocacy on these issues, we are increasing our work on strategies at an industry level to drive new apprenticeship levels and interest in what is a fantastic and diverse industry.

AAAA members are exposed to regular AAAA training and networking evenings, designed to educate and build skills of those in our industry. Our member webinars are often themed toward skills development with topics including local area marketing, cash flow and business efficiency.

We also provide business development tools and services to members. This includes access to our advocacy team, market research, including our Car Parc Data tool and Workshop Health Check, and hotlines for human resource and legal matters.

Q: Can you update on the “Automotive Innovation Labs” that AAAA established in Victoria and South Australia a couple of years ago?

Charity: The Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) is just about to celebrate its first birthday in Victoria, while the facility in South Australia is close to being opened. The Melbourne facility contains cutting-edge testing and scanning equipment, workshop facilities and other manufacturing and development capabilities for our industry to utilise, plus a fleet of new vehicles for product development.

The AIC is already the go-to facility for many Australian businesses seeking assistance with product development thanks to its unique capabilities. The AIC conducts regular Electronic Stability Control and Brake Testing to ensure products such as suspension and braking systems meet Australian Design Rules. 3D Scanning is another popular service offering, with a soon to be launched database of vehicle scan data available to subscribers. The AIC also hosts businesses that run training, networking and information evenings and the fully equipped workshop is used by companies for product fitting sessions using the AIC vehicle fleet.

Q: What is your outlook for the growth of the aftermarket in the next five years?

Charity: We are very positive about the growth outlook in the aftermarket over the next five years as all the key drivers that we look at to assess future demand in our industry is positive. These include:

The fact that Australians are still very reluctant to use public transport like they did in the past which has driven up the price of second-hand cars as families buy a second or even third car to ensure they can get to where they need to be without relying on transport.

New car sales that had already experienced two consecutive years of month-on-month declines have been decimated this year. This will drive up the average age of vehicles meaning that a greater proportion of vehicles will and are being serviced in the independent aftermarket.

With many interstate borders still closed and international borders shut for the foreseeable future, we are seeing the return of the family road trip which has seen a massive boom in the sales of 4WD accessories and vehicle modification services.

To further support these market dynamics, the imminent introduction of a national mandatory data-sharing law will lay the foundation for further strengthening of the independent service and repair sector moving forward.

So while 2020 is a year that we’d all rather forget, we are experiencing strong demand for our products and services across all segments of the aftermarket and we are projecting this to be sustained over the next five years. (MT)

The highly-anticipated Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 commenced with a bang on 17 January 2025. The first day of the event saw vehicle exhibitors unveiling and launching a total of 34 new products at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The e VITARA, Maruti Suzuki's first electric SUV, has been released. Modern technologies including Level 2 ADAS and Suzuki Connect's next-generation connectivity are standard on the e VITARA. Additionally, Suzuki Motorcycle India has introduced three cutting-edge products: the GIXXER SF 250 Flex Fuel, India's first E85-compliant sports bike that promotes ethanol-based mobility; the e-ACCESS, Suzuki's first electric scooter and the brand-new Access 125.

Hero MotoCorp debuted a number of new products and projects including the Xpulse 210 to expand its adventure range and the Xtreme 250R to enter the 250 cc motorbike market. The company unveiled the Xoom 125 and Xoom 160 in the scooter market. Hero also unveiled the VIDA V2 e-scooter and the Hero HF Deluxe, the company's first flex-fuel motorbike powered by ethanol.

At Auto Expo 2025, BMW India debuted the BMW X1 Long Wheelbase All Electric, the company's first domestically manufactured EV. The SUV, which costs INR 4,900,000, has a 531-km MIDC range and an eDrive20L engine that produces 204 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz debuted the EQS Maybach SUV 680 ‘Night Series’, an opulent luxury BEV, at the Global Expo. It costs INR 26,300,000, while the Maybach GLS 600 costs INR 37,100,000. The much-anticipated Hyundai CRETA Electric was introduced by Hyundai Motor India at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, with a starting price of INR 1,799,000.

MG Motors added the MG Cyberster and MG M9 to its NEV portfolio at the Expo. These cars, which were unveiled under the recently established premium brand channel MG Select, perfectly capture the company's philosophy of customer-focused, sustainable and intelligent transportation. At the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo, Tata Motors unveiled the All-New Tata Sierra. This contemporary version of the iconic car embodies the ideal harmony of sustainability, elegance and utility by fusing cutting-edge technology with classic design. With the introduction of the Eicher Pro X Range, VE Commercial Vehicles made its debut in the 2-3.5T Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) market. Co-developed with logistics professionals, this electric-first line transforms mid- and last-mile operations. 

The new Kia EV6 was introduced by Kia India during the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo. outfitted with the state-of-the-art ADAS 2.0 package, which includes 27 innovative safety and driver-assistance technologies. Greaves Cotton Limited unveiled the Race and Executive versions, two high-end Ampere Nexus variations. The 'Xyber' e-motorcycle, which has a certified range of up to 200 km on a single charge and fast-charging capabilities, was also introduced by the business.

Porsche India demonstrated the brand's dedication to sustainability and innovation by introducing two ground-breaking Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): the revised Taycan sports saloon and the brand-new Macan SUV. Three versions of the Macan BEV are available: the Macan Turbo (INR 16,900,000), the Macan 4S (INR 13,900,000), and the Macan (INR 12,100,000). Eight ICE and EV vehicles from India and a global range are on display by Škoda Auto India. Škoda Kylaq, Škoda Kylaq (Accessorised), Škoda Kushaq Monte Carlo, All-new Škoda Kodiaq, All-new Škoda Superb, Facelifted Škoda Octavia vRS, Škoda Elroq and the Škoda Vision 7S were among the products on display.

Tata Motors, India’s largest auto and mobility solutions company, displayed its range of ultra-modern vehicles, cutting-edge concepts advanced aggregates and intelligent digital solutions at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, setting new benchmarks in innovation, connectivity and sustainability. These exhibits are on display up to 22 January 2025, in Hall No 1 at the Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan), New Delhi.

Tata Motors presented its ambition for revolutionising every aspect of personal mobility and business transportation with the largest exhibition of more than 50 displays, which included 32 aspirational, future-ready passenger and commercial vehicles. Tata Motors unveiled its next-generation green mobility solutions, which range from small cars and strong SUVs to agile micro trucks and tough heavy-duty carriers. These solutions are intended to improve safety, provide outstanding performance and completely transform the customer experience. In addition to providing visitors with 18 immersive experiences and interactive displays, the organisation showcased 20 intelligent, cutting-edge solutions to improve safety, productivity and customer experience. The company also unveiled 'Better Always' as a new motto for Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, signifying the company's dedication to ongoing development and enhancement.

N Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons and Chairman, Tata Motors said, “For eight decades, Tata Motors has been at the forefront of shaping the future of mobility, pioneering advancements in safety, design, connectivity and sustainability. Our relentless pursuit of excellence is fuelled by a deep commitment to creating value for customers, communities and our nation. The rapid shift toward green energy and mobility, an irreversible global megatrend, has made the need for clean, zero-emission vehicles more urgent than ever. We are leading this revolution in India with smart, holistic solutions delivering exceptional performance, reliability and convenience. Our customers have ready access to an expansive range of cleaner, greener mobility options for both personal and commercial use. At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, we are proud to unveil more than 50 next-generation vehicles, visionary concepts and intelligent solutions that redefine the future of mobility across segments and applications. Rooted in our legacy of trust, innovation and responsibility, we will continue to lead the way – creating value for customers, driving the automotive industry and advancing our nation's progress with purpose and determination." 

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “Today marks a defining moment in Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles' journey as we introduce our new mantra, 'Better Always’, embodying our unwavering dedication to driving growth and success, for our customers and for our nation. At the Expo, we are unveiling a bold new era in mobility, showcasing 14 smart vehicles, all integrated with ADAS, alongside six cutting-edge intelligent solutions that provide real-time performance insights, and four advanced aggregates. Accelerating our aspiration towards a greener future, we are presenting four zero-emission electric vehicles, ranging from mini trucks and pickups to intermediate and heavy trucks, alongside buses designed for comfortable, long-distance travel. We are redefining last-mile mobility with the launch of the all-new Tata Ace Pro, available in multiple powertrain options, and the Intra EV, India’s most advanced electric pickup, setting new benchmarks for performance and sustainability. Our next-generation hydrogen-powered Prima Truck is set to revolutionise long-haul trucking. We’re showcasing the Prima deep mining tipper with state-of-the-art technologies. In addition, on display are an array of green mobility solutions powered by a variety of decarbonising technologies – Hydrogen, Electric, Natural gas and Flex-fuel. With relentless innovation and agility, we will continue to redefine the future of mobility with sustainable, intelligent and cutting-edge solutions – setting new industry standards and creating a lasting, positive impact on the environment.”

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, "We are honoured to spearhead India’s journey toward zero-emission mobility. With over 200,000 Tata EVs already covering more than 5 billion kilometres on Indian roads, we’ve cut down 700,000 tonnes of CO2 emission. Tata Motors has also crossed the remarkable milestone of 6 million car sales, a testament to the success of our customer centric, multi-powertrain strategy. But this is just the beginning. With relentless innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability, Tata Motors is determined to accelerate the transformation towards a future that is greener, safer and full of boundless opportunities for all. At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, we are proud to unveil our ‘Future of Mobility’ portfolio, showcasing the greenest, smartest and most advanced suite of mobility solutions. Our display embodies a holistic approach blending innovative design and smart engineering, with a profound understanding of customer needs. Today, we are thrilled to announce the return of a legend – the All-New Tata Sierra – reimagined for a new era, ready to inspire and lead once again. Alongside, in a nation first gesture, we ‘summoned remotely’ the Harrier.ev, the most powerful and technologically advanced SUV from the Tata Motors stable. Furthermore, we presented the next chapter of automotive excellence with the Avinya X concept— a bold leap into the future of luxury mobility that expands on Avinya’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and well-being. These reveals mark not just milestones, but the beginning of a boundless journey towards a future driven by lifestyle, safety, sustainability and cutting-edge technology.”

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) launched the project on development of ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (Bharat VECTO) for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’, a landmark project in India’s homologation process, at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. ARAI is showcasing its technology and services at stall no H11-04, Bharat Mandapam; stall no H2-02, Yashobhoomi and stall no H1-A14, India Expo Centre & Mart from 17 to 22 January 2025.

Minister of Road, Transport and Highway Shri Nitin Gadkari; Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI; P K Banerjee, Chief Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Dr Sukrut S. Thipse, Senior Deputy Director – ARAI and Bharat VECTO Project Leader graced the event.

In accordance with Europe, the United States, Japan, China and other countries, the developed Bharat VECTO will be used to compute the realistic fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) (GVW > 3.5 tonnes) on a driving cycle basis. The BS-VII regulation will include it. Various mission profiles will be created under the Bharat VECTO project to address all HDV classifications, driving styles, road topography etc. Before being finalised for usage, the created tool will be tested on a few vehicle classifications. Along with project partners, ARAI will make every effort to create Bharat VECTO. It will be made available in Bharat Stage-VII and will serve cars powered by internal combustion engines, electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell EVs and flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in a phased way.

At Bharat Mandapam, a concept demo of the Over-Head Automated Charging Device (OH-ACD), one of ARAI's projects in collaboration with IIT-Madras, is on exhibit. Fast charging is possible with the 600-kW charging power, 1000V voltage and 600A current, which is made to satisfy the needs of the changing transportation environment. In addition to OH-ACD, the company is showcasing its in-house ADAS Validation Platform, a Light Commercial Vehicle with a 117 HP engine and an E-Axle for European customers and a Training Kit for the Battery Management System.

Stall number H2-02, Yashobhoomi, lists ARAI's specialised service portfolio for certification and support in developmental validation for components, systems and sub-systems. Along with engine models and lightweight components from the ARAI Fatigue Material Centre of Excellence, ARAI is also exhibiting the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) Bike and Battery Management System Kit, which was constructed by ARAI engineers.

Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, said, “It is a great pleasure to host Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and have his presence for the launch of Bharat VECTO project. Ministry of Road Transport and Highway has played a significant role in enabling ARAI guide the auto industry towards one direction. Hence, ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’ will be instrumental in accelerating the momentum for industry-wide adoption of green mobility. ARAI, while being a major stakeholder in homologation and developmental testing and standardisation has also been fundamental in innovating technologies for sustainable mobility like Over-Head Automated Charging Device, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain, which are at display at Bharat Mobility Global Expo. We are thrilled to showcase these technologies and drive conversations for greener tomorrow.”

Automotive customisation brand DC2, together with Mercury EV-Tech, unveiled two futuristic products – e-TANQ, a futuristic off-roader, and Europa, an ultra-luxurious showroom on wheels – at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

The e-TANQ, an all-electric commercial vehicle developed in-house by DC2 in a partnership with Mercury EV-Tech Ltd, is intended to transform commercial and urban transportation. With a huge 180 kWh battery that produces 650 BHP, the off-roader blends sustainability and performance. DC2 also launched Europa, a custom-built, unique mobile showroom in partnership with Goldmedal Electricals. The cost of designing the opulent, cutting-edge mobile store was INR 180 million.

DC2 also displayed four other innovative items at the event. These include the Empyrean, a family-oriented luxury car that blends comfort and style; the Lex Lounge, which offers first-class luxury on daily commutes; the e-Rover, a sleek and contemporary take on the urban rickshaw; and the Vellfire Quad Luxe, a modified Toyota Vellfire that offers the luxury of a private jet on wheels.

Dilip Chhabria, Founder, DC2, said, “Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 has been an opportunity to reconnect with automotive enthusiasts and showcase our vision for the future of mobility. The Expo offered the perfect stage to present our innovations to a passionate audience, and we are thrilled to have been a part of it. Our collaboration with Mercury EV-Tech has been an incredible journey. Together, we’ve created a vehicle that combines the boldness of a rugged off-roader with cutting-edge electric technology, making a strong statement about our commitment to sustainability and innovation. This is just the beginning of a new chapter for DC2."

Jayesh Thakkar, Chairman, Mercury EV-Tech Ltd, said, "We believe in Dilip Chhabria's legacy of futuristic design and engineering excellence, which made his brand the perfect partner for the e-TANQ. DC2’s commitment to transforming futuristic ideas into reality is well-aligned with our vision. With the e-TANQ, both our brands aim to redefine the future of mobility by focusing on cutting-edge design and sustainability. This collaboration is a step toward creating vehicles that cater to the expectations of the modern consumer.”