Czech-Australian Technology Days

The Australian Government recognises that the automotive industry is a primary driver of industrial innovation and is committed to making it more dynamic, sustainable and productive.  A New Car Plan for a Greener Future was launched in November 2008 to attract new investment, make the local industry greener and more internationally competitive, strengthen the local supply chain, boost skills and innovation and increase international engagement.  Key initiatives include:

·Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS) from 2011 to 2020–21 which encourage investment in R&D while also requiring eligible companies to demonstrate an environmental commitment;

·Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Program to promote structural adjustment through mergers and consolidation in the components sector and facilitate labour market adjustment;

·Automotive Supply Chain Development Program from 2009–10 to help suppliers improve their capabilities and their integration in complex national and global supply chains;

·Automotive Market Access Program (AMAP) to boost component suppliers’ access to global supply chains;

·Automotive Industry Innovation Council (AIIC) to serve as an advisory body to the Minister and bringing key decision makers together to drive innovation and reform; and

·LPG Vehicle Scheme Enhancement to make new LPG vehicles more affordable and encourage early adoption of new technologies, such as direct-injection LPG engines.

The New Car Plan gave the industry the confidence to weather the global financial crisis in better shape than many of its international counterparts.  It also facilitated new investments such as production of the GM Holden Cruze small car and Toyota’s Hybrid Camry and global engine line. 

The Australian automotive industry is increasingly focussed on the development and commercialisation of innovative, low-emission technologies.  This is supported by world-class research organisations, including the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Automotive Technology (AutoCRC) and various universities and industry institutions. Stakeholders in the industry have cooperatively developed the Automotive Australia 2020 technology roadmap which identifies automotive technology applications with real commercial potential for Australia.  It was developed with input from over 160 organisations, including from across industry, research organisations and government.  The roadmap provides individual roadmaps to develop and commercialise clean automotive technologies in the areas of vehicle electrification, light-weighting, gaseous fuels, and data and communications.

Australia is now well placed to benefit from the increasing global demand for innovative automotive technologies and products, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.  Australian automotive researchers and industry representatives are increasingly collaborating with their counterparts in China, India and South-East Asia on new energy vehicle and component innovation and production.