Changes you want to see in the automotive industry

[PhilT2]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

If i had my wish i wouldn’t even allow a single chinese ****box to be sold here. What’s right for the goose, should be right for the gander, and we should ban some of their imports like they have ours. Stuff them.

We started the trade war, we banned Huawei because of pressure from the US. Now we are wearing the consequences. The Chinese will take over a large section of the auto market as they gradually solve their quality control issues.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by kcodezd

That would have been day time running lights that turned off while the indicator was flashing. Saw it on a Jeep the other day myself.

That's actually a design requirement where the DRL is housed in the same fitting as the indicator.

[Pis-ton broke]

Originally Posted by PhilT2

We started the trade war, we banned Huawei because of pressure from the US. Now we are wearing the consequences. The Chinese will take over a large section of the auto market as they gradually solve their quality control issues.

i couldn't disagree more, china clearly is the aggressor here,
and, i'll never buy a chinese **** box

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by PhilT2

We started the trade war, we banned Huawei because of pressure from the US. Now we are wearing the consequences. The Chinese will take over a large section of the auto market as they gradually solve their quality control issues.

We didn't start a trade war at all.

China are proven to insert spy tech inside communications. And Huawei has links to the CCP. It was completely justified.

China always trying to spy and meddle in other countries politics to further their global domination intentions.

They need to be checked.

The amount of people who are happy to see China bully us into submission stagers me. Have people really become so spineless and soft these days?

[Pis-ton broke]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Have people really become so spineless and soft these days?

that really disappoints me too.

[roKWiz]

Would like to see better (fed/state) regulation on towing requirements after seeing this one happen in front of me this morning on the Hume but I guess thats licencing.



He goes ripping past me (I'm doing 105kmh) hits the side draft off a convoy of trucks further ahead, then starts to wag the tail. Caravan glances the outside safety barrier, comes careening back across the road hitting the armco on the left narrowly missing the second semi as the caravan decides to lay down sliding 200mtrs down the middle of the lanes.

He's Ok and a very lucky boy no one else hit it, both Disco and van are write offs.
Pity I don't own a dashcam.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Would like to see better (fed/state) regulation on towing requirements after seeing this one happen in front of me this morning on the Hume but I guess thats licencing.

image

He goes ripping past me (I'm doing 105kmh) hits the side draft off a convoy of trucks further ahead, then starts to wag the tail. Caravan glances the outside safety barrier, comes careening back across the road hitting the armco on the left narrowly missing the second semi as the caravan decides to lay down sliding 200mtrs down the middle of the lanes.

He's Ok and a very lucky boy no one else hit it, both Disco and van are write offs.
Pity I don't own a dashcam.

I'm in two minds, I'm sort of like we need less red tape and regulations but on the other hand I'm not sure it's a good idea that I can spend 40 years driving my Focus, then buy a Thailand Special and Chuck a 3500kg van on the back of it and head off into the sunset without any licence/testing/certification requirements.

Or even inspection on the van and tow car - our 6x4 is a 40 year old home made job gifted to us by a family friend over 20 years ago and we've literally never done maintenance on it except replace both tyres after they both literally blew on the highway from being rotten, it's constantly overloaded and being pulled by my Focus.

I figure it's due for bearings at least

[roKWiz]

Yep me too on some form of upgrade licencing at least.
Interesting conversations on the CB going on between all the truckie after it happened all saying the same thing.

This one didn't look overloaded but from what I saw after it started to sway was the LHS caravan tyre blew. Very warm morning here, speed (not illegal) and probably a van which doesn't get much use.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

He goes ripping past me (I'm doing 105kmh) hits the side draft off a convoy of trucks further ahead, then starts to wag the tail. Caravan glances the outside safety barrier, comes careening back across the road hitting the armco on the left narrowly missing the second semi as the caravan decides to lay down sliding 200mtrs down the middle of the lanes.

Slightly off topic but automotive related...........

Who thought the steel cable 'safety barrier' was a good idea on every hwy and so close to the road?

If you breakdown you have to park horribly close to the traffic, if you're in a Truck you'd almost be on the fog line!


(Sorry Franco, carry on)

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Slightly off topic but automotive related...........

Who thought the steel cable 'safety barrier' was a good idea on every hwy and so close to the road?

If you breakdown you have to park horribly close to the traffic, if you're in a Truck you'd almost be on the fog line!


(Sorry Franco, carry on)

Dumbest idea in the world, no where to run off the road safely, must be some pollie somewhere etting a kickback from the program I reckon.
Note the 4x4 the other day in Qld that "tripped" over one and when into the lake.
Motorcyclist I heard were campaining against them a while ago.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Slightly off topic but automotive related...........

Who thought the steel cable 'safety barrier' was a good idea on every hwy and so close to the road?

If you breakdown you have to park horribly close to the traffic, if you're in a Truck you'd almost be on the fog line!


(Sorry Franco, carry on)

They've just done this 'safety upgrade' out my way, absolutely ridiculous.

Plus I imagine stacking your motorbike and sliding into the wires at circa 100km/h isn't conducive to the average life expectancy.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Yep me too on some form of upgrade licencing at least.
Interesting conversations on the CB going on between all the truckie after it happened all saying the same thing.

This one didn't look overloaded but from what I saw after it started to sway was the LHS caravan tyre blew. Very warm morning here, speed (not illegal) and probably a van which doesn't get much use.

If you were on 105 and the Disco and van passed you,their speed may not have been illegal.but in my old age opinion,it probably wasn’t all that smart.People seem to forget just how much wind their big wind socks have at highway speeds.Maybe the tyre blew(which is a very rare occurrence with tubeless tyre) or got ripped off the bead with all the fun and games,one may never know,although that will deemed the cause,rather than bad driving.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

If you were on 105 and the Disco and van passed you,their speed may not have been illegal.but in my old age opinion,it probably wasn’t all that smart.People seem to forget just how much wind their big wind socks have at highway speeds.Maybe the tyre blew(which is a very rare occurrence with tubeless tyre) or got ripped off the bead with all the fun and games,one may never know,although that will deemed the cause,rather than bad driving.

Yeah, that was my point, even though its not illegal to travel at those speeds judging the conditions is more important, it is very warm here this morning, I would aye on the side of caution about pulling a caravan at freeway speeds. Tyres get bloody hot at those speeds under any load.
I reckon it blew being ripped sideways off the rim. I note there was inner tube liner on the road as well.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

They've just done this 'safety upgrade' out my way, absolutely ridiculous.

Plus I imagine stacking your motorbike and sliding into the wires at circa 100km/h isn't conducive to the average life expectancy.

I've read at least 6 deaths in Victoria occuring directly from these "Safety Barriers" All similar circumstances to the below case.
There was a mother killed recently when the car clipped it, made the SUV turn onto it rolling several times along the posts.

[Citroënbender]

Spot on about judging the conditions.

I’m a believer in “driving to the conditions” - weather, road, vehicle, operator are all a part of the conditions.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Spot on. I’m a believer in “driving to the conditions” - weather, road, vehicle, operator are all a part of the conditions.

Problem is in this day of climate controlled moving lounge rooms, most aren't aware to any road conditions.

I see people leave motels on super hot days, just get in the car and drive off. No one checks the oil, water, belts or even looks at the tyres before getting out onto the highways.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

i couldn't disagree more, china clearly is the aggressor here,

and, i'll never buy a chinese **** box

China is absolutely the aggressor here. No doubt about that.

But we need them more than they need us.

They stop buying from us we are in a world of hurt. I just heard on the radio that they are holding off accepting $700m of our coal.

Nothing to do with being spineless. We (the worlds consumers) have allowed them to become so powerful they can dictate the terms we sell our stuff to them.

They are 1/5 of the world. Along with their finances, buying power and strategic integration into almost every corner of the globe as well as their political influence plus their "win at any cost" mentality we have no chance.

And we are all to blame.



Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Along with their finances, buying power and strategic integration into almost every corner of the globe as well as their political influence plus their "win at any cost" mentality we have no chance.

On the contrary, we do have a choice: continue bowing down to China's every whim, or stop being so dependent on trading with China and find other, more ethical trade partners. Yes, we may take a short term hit, but if the entire western world is on board with significantly reducing trade with China, then China's power will wane.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Would like to see better (fed/state) regulation on towing requirements after seeing this one happen in front of me this morning on the Hume but I guess thats licencing.

image

He goes ripping past me (I'm doing 105kmh) hits the side draft off a convoy of trucks further ahead, then starts to wag the tail. Caravan glances the outside safety barrier, comes careening back across the road hitting the armco on the left narrowly missing the second semi as the caravan decides to lay down sliding 200mtrs down the middle of the lanes.

He's Ok and a very lucky boy no one else hit it, both Disco and van are write offs.
Pity I don't own a dashcam.

I agree, I hate over-regulation but towing with no experience or understanding especially out on highways with semi's and b-doubles causing a vortex just like aircraft is a recipe for disaster.

I would consider myself an experienced driver of towing trailers including heavy liquid loads in a twin axle 8'x5' however I once made the mistake of not running a safety check over a hire trailer I used to take an old Nissan Urvan to the wreckers. Turned out the trailer had a flat rear left wheel, it was actually missing the valve so possibly flat before I took it, I jack knifed avoiding a school kid that wanted to catch the bus on the other side of the road. Funny thing is I tied the old van so well it never moved even after it spun around and dragged me backwards for 15 metres.

Needless to say, I check all lights, tyres and load restraints every time I tow. And I don't run trailer tyres to bald, it's a false economy which your insurance company checks out should a claim ever be needed.

[roKWiz]

Getting back to some ADR's, I see a few crap US school bus conversions on youtube and often wonder why they are allowed to do all their own 110v using single solid core wiring !! electrical work themselves. Seems like an accident waiting to happen.
I find some ADR's neccessary in this field.
Everything ADR bus conversion related here is governed by trades coming in to do the final checks and finishing work.
For instance one of the MH's I did was AC powered where I was allowed to fit the flex cable 240v wiring and fit my own double throw power points but wasn't allowed to physically wire it all together.
My work had to be sighted by the electrician (for good reason I'm no sparky) before he could apply for a connection application to go ahead and stated because it was moveable Sydney Electricity would come and inspect it (which they did)
The gas requirements were similar in I was allowed to install the piping and appliances but needed a qualified gas fitter to sight what I had done to check off the ADR compliance.
I like to think of myself as a competent person but some of this stuff I keep seeing on youtube is frightening.
More amazing is in the US is if you re-clasify a prime mover semi as an RV simply installing an frig and sink into the sleeper) anyone can drive it without anything more than a car licence which is insane.

[Franco Cozzo]

Was the same with ambulances, I ran the 240V cabling which was this big *** round orange insulated cable inside 30mm corrugated white non split conduit and a 240V sparky did the termination and sign off paperwork.

I can put the inverter in and it's earth wire to the chassis of the car but the moment there was a power point on the wall then the 240V sparky had to connect it and then provide paperwork.

Meanwhile no dramas with furniture inside the ambulance secured to the vehicle with a bolt, washer and nyloc nut to the underside of the car

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Was the same with ambulances, I ran the 240V cabling which was this big *** round orange insulated cable inside 30mm corrugated white non split conduit and a 240V sparky did the termination and sign off paperwork.

I can put the inverter in and it's earth wire to the chassis of the car but the moment there was a power point on the wall then the 240V sparky had to connect it and then provide paperwork.

Meanwhile no dramas with furniture inside the ambulance secured to the vehicle with a bolt, washer and nyloc nut to the underside of the car

You forgot to mention your favourites for finished products............Caravans

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Would like to see better (fed/state) regulation on towing requirements after seeing this one happen in front of me this morning on the Hume but I guess thats licencing.

image

He goes ripping past me (I'm doing 105kmh) hits the side draft off a convoy of trucks further ahead, then starts to wag the tail. Caravan glances the outside safety barrier, comes careening back across the road hitting the armco on the left narrowly missing the second semi as the caravan decides to lay down sliding 200mtrs down the middle of the lanes.

He's Ok and a very lucky boy no one else hit it, both Disco and van are write offs.
Pity I don't own a dashcam.

If they were in NSW and their combined weight was over 4.5T, then they were speeding. If I'm not mistaken you are limited to 100km/hr over 4.5T.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

You forgot to mention your favourites for finished products............Caravans

Those bloody things are held together with no more gaps and the electricals pieced together with scotch locks

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by naddis01

If they were in NSW and their combined weight was over 4.5T, then they were speeding. If I'm not mistaken you are limited to 100km/hr over 4.5T.

You're talking GCM. Whereas the law you mention, applies to GVM..

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/saf...%20and%20buses.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by hayseed

You're talking GCM. Whereas the law you mention, applies to GVM..

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/saf...%20and%20buses.

I was going off this...
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-adv...ustralia-80476

There really isn't a towing speed limit in the NSW, but the state has a 100km/h absolute maximum on all rigs with a combined mass of greater than 4.5 tonnes. While that sounds like a fair bit, a modern four-wheel-drive towing a big boat or caravan can easily exceed that figure, so a trip to the local weighbridge is a good idea before you hit the road and cruise along at 110km/h on the freeway.

[chevypower]

For those wanting to get rid of dealerships and make it all online only, that might work against you when it comes to pricing, with less over supply. Be careful what you wish for I guess. This article is about covid’s impact on supply, but I think the same can be applied here.
https://www-wsj-com.cdn.ampproject.o...ic-11606068000

[b0son]

Originally Posted by chevypower

For those wanting to get rid of dealerships and make it all online only, that might work against you when it comes to pricing, with less over supply. Be careful what you wish for I guess.

there'll also be far lower retailing overheads though... a balance will be found. at the end of the day, manufacturers economies of scale are built on a certain minimum level of production. they'll still be needing to move a minimum annual amount for it to be profitable.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by b0son

there'll also be far lower retailing overheads though... a balance will be found. at the end of the day, manufacturers economies of scale are built on a certain minimum level of production. they'll still be needing to move a minimum annual amount for it to be profitable.

I suspect there are still going to be unintended consequences. Every business pays to acquire customers. Who pays for that now? Car dealerships, not to manufacturer. So the manufacturer doesn’t have to build that into the price. How does a dealership price their vehicles to cover that? They mostly give the car away at cost, and make it up on the back end through financing, servicing, and selling the customer’s trade. It’s quite efficient actually. It has to be!
Now instead of thousands of dealerships competing, we would be buying from a handful of manufacturers who set at their retail pricing. They’re competing in an oligarchy, which is very different. Now they can factor in their customer acquisition costs into their pricing, and they won’t have to be as competitive on the front end. I think if we want lower pricing, deregulation would be much more effective.

[Crazy Dazz]

Yep competition sucks. Let’s get rid of it altogether and let manufacturers set the price. In fact to make it even simpler we should have all the manufacturers get together and agree a pricing structure and also agree what features you get for that price. Would make buying a whole lot simpler.
And get rid of colours thats another thing we don’t need just make every car white.

Yep regulation also sucks. We should abolish speed limits; stop-signs; and traffic lights. Also let people drive on whatever side they like. It works fine in other countries.

Furthermore to reduce problems and congestion on our roads certain drivers with high intelligence (such as myself) should be licenced to carry guns and just shoot morons on sight.
Also anyone who currently owns a Commodore should be arrested and placed in labour camps.

Oh yeah: Anyone caught towing a caravan to be immediately deported (along with said Caravan) to New Zealand

Eyre highway to be permanently closed and replaced with a moat.