Labours plan to boost auto industry.

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http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...806-11me2.html

Boosting auto industry a 'Labor' of love
August 6, 2010 - 12:35PM



Labor has outlined its plans for a re-energised automotive sector, to drive the industry forward over the next decade if it's re-elected.

A re-elected Labor government has dreams of a re-energised automotive sector, where electric and lightweight cars rule.

It has released a blueprint for where it wants the industry to head over the next decade.

The Automotive Australia 2020 roadmap sets a path for the future growth of the sector, currently exporting $3 billion worth of products and supporting 50,000 jobs, Industry Minister Kim Carr said.

It was about pinpointing where Australia's future opportunities lay - and how best to take advantage of them.

"Innovation is the key to putting the industry on an economically and environmentally sustainable footing," he said.

"Australia has a proud history in automotive manufacturing and it is important the industry continues to modernise and adapt to meet today's challenges."

More than 220 people from 160 organisations within the industry contributed over 2500 hours to creating the roadmap.

With increasing competition from low-cost countries such as Brazil, India and Thailand, the local industry will continue to feel the heat, the industry believes.

A growing trend towards more sustainable vehicles, and the increasing cost of oil prices will also change the way the sector will operate over the next 10 or more years.

There are four areas of opportunity Australia will need to seize, the experts say.

Electric cars, developing gas fuels such as LPG, lightweighting - making cars that consume less energy - as well as improving data and communications systems.

Senator Carr said manufacturing had a significant role in boosting Australia's long-term productivity and Labor was unashamedly a "firm friend" of the car industry.

He said a re-elected Labor government would continue to support the sector.

The Automotive Industry Innovation Council will consider the roadmap and advise the federal and state governments with some recommendations.