Expo Draws Crowds & Politicial Interest
The 2015 Auto Aftermarket Expo held in Melbourne was a huge success and was visited by many of our readers and even politicians!
The Expo was formally opened by Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Industry Senator Kim Carr, who is also a member of the Senate Inquiry into the Australian Automotive Industry.
Senator Carr was joined by fellow Senate Inquiry members Senator Nick Xenophon and Senator Ricky Muir at the ribbon cutting. The Victorian Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio welcomed visitors to the AAAA Innovation Awards Breakfast. Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs attended the official Expo Media Briefing to introduce government proposals for an update to the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, including regulations relating to personal imports of vehicles. Federal Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson spoke at the AAAA Excellence Awards Dinner to reinforce his government’s commitment to make vehicle data sharing a reality for the independent aftermarket and announced that he has asked the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission to conduct a review of the capped price service programs being offered by vehicle manufacturers.
AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said , “In the past, the aftermarket has been largely ignored as governments focused on the passenger vehicle manufacturers,” he said.
“Aftermarket manufacturing represents 36% of all automotive production in Australia – that is $5.2 billion a year – and exports $800 million worth of Australian developed products each year. The AAAA has lobbied hard to demonstrate to State and Federal MPs that when the passenger vehicle manufacturers close their plants, there will still be a vital and growing automotive industry in Australia. By visiting the 2015 Expos, these MP’s clearly saw the important role the aftermarket now plays in the lives of Australians and their economy.”
“We hope they also now realise that, with appropriate policies in place, aftermarket manufacturers and exporters can play an even larger role in ensuring future growth for our nation’s automotive industry,” said Stuart Charity.
More info visit www.aaaa.com.au
