Labor's Pitch to save Mechanic Industry

[Vesper Martini]

Not a fan of Bill but, I like this Policy

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/tra...s-ng-s-1858452

[Pepscobra]

I'm with you, can't stand the 'lil Shortman.
But this does sound like a good idea on the surface.
The challenge will be how the smaller independent workshops get this information and what equipment they will need to purchase from the Auto giants in order to access/use it.
Some of the bigger chains like Auto Masters and Ultra Tune may already have it to an extent.
Its always been a fast changing industry, but recently and into the future it will be even more-so.

[lra]

And just how is Bill going to achieve this ?
It is hard enough getting trained dealer mechanics to do repair work satisfactorily in newer hitech cars, how is a local mech going to keep up to speed with multiple makes.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Not a fan of Bill but, I like this Policy

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/tra...s-ng-s-1858452

Thanks for posting this. I heard about it yesterday on the Abc.

This is really important. Any farmer here will know exactly what is going on.

Tractors, headers, sprayers etc have moved to electronic control just as rapidly as their road going brethren. With one big difference. The manufacturers have been allowed to "lock down" the electronics with no ability to get information on any of it.
Now if we have a breakdown we are pretty much obliged to call a dealer network mechanic onto the property. Strictly speaking we can't touch any equipment anymore and servicing yourself has pretty much gone out the window.

A year ago we lost a pto on a tractor, it spent the next 6 months in the shed as a simple problem like that couldn't be fixed.

People are fighting to have these restrictions removed and it's a nasty fight. Manufacturers basically own our machinery that we pay millions of dollars to purchase.

I suggest everyone contact their mp to register their displeasure. A phone call should suffice.

[Maka]

A good practical idea imo, nothing wrong with the idea for now.

In the future with ev's though things might be different because of the auto makers insistence on full protection of their IP (intellectual property) in every sense of the word ie: even down to the local mechanic tampering with the ecu which may be against IP laws afaik etc.

cheers, Maka

[simon varley]

quickest and easiest way to maintain auto mechanic's jobs is to require a regular roadworthy on all cars over a certain age.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by simon varley

quickest and easiest way to maintain auto mechanic's jobs is to require a regular roadworthy on all cars over a certain age.

Regular roadworthy's should be carried out by a designated testing station, not linked to any mechanical workshop just like they do in New Zealand.

Its a quick process done by bookings, without corruption.

Unfortunately some mechanics would always find faults, and ruin the industries reputation

[lra]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

This is really important. Any farmer here will know exactly what is going on.
Manufacturers basically own our machinery that we pay millions of dollars to purchase.

A good point that non-farmers would be aware of or understand.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by simon varley

quickest and easiest way to maintain auto mechanic's jobs is to require a regular roadworthy on all cars over a certain age.

How are those mechanics going to do a roadworthy when they have no access?

[Dr Terry]

I don't want to turn this into a political slanging match, but this was not ever Bill Shorten's idea or Labor Party policy.

The AAAA along with a few other automotive groups, have been pushing this one for years. They have had a few wins lately but the auto manufacturers are a strong lobby group.

Dr Terry

[GTLEGEND]

Originally Posted by simon varley

quickest and easiest way to maintain auto mechanic's jobs is to require a regular roadworthy on all cars over a certain age.

We have this in NSW, every vehicle over 5 years old needs a roadworthy pink slip come annual registration time!!

[dunga]

The united states works like that the independents buy the right to log into the oem network and obtain all info required I believe its been like this for a long time .

[GTLEGEND]

Originally Posted by dunga

The united states works like that the independents buy the right to log into the oem network and obtain all info required I believe its been like this for a long time .

Ford Australia have this already with the Motorcraft Service website where you pay for a subscription to workshop manuals etc, but not sure about the other manufacturers. Although I think the independents want it for free!!

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Thanks for posting this. I heard about it yesterday on the Abc.

This is really important. Any farmer here will know exactly what is going on.

Tractors, headers, sprayers etc have moved to electronic control just as rapidly as their road going brethren. With one big difference. The manufacturers have been allowed to "lock down" the electronics with no ability to get information on any of it.
Now if we have a breakdown we are pretty much obliged to call a dealer network mechanic onto the property. Strictly speaking we can't touch any equipment anymore and servicing yourself has pretty much gone out the window.

A year ago we lost a pto on a tractor, it spent the next 6 months in the shed as a simple problem like that couldn't be fixed.

People are fighting to have these restrictions removed and it's a nasty fight. Manufacturers basically own our machinery that we pay millions of dollars to purchase.

I suggest everyone contact their mp to register their displeasure. A phone call should suffice.

Can you get away with using older, non "black boxed" machinery? Last time I did harvest was many years ago and it was for the most mechanical with a shed load of belts and pulleys. Why pay millions for equipment if you essentially don't have the liberty to fix it?

[Mercury Bullet]

10,000 hours is the lifespan we usually budget for.

You can keep things going for a while with engine rebuilds and such but once frames start cracking that's it.

We recently retired 2 versatile 1050's for that reason. Old girls had been toiling since the mid 80's so can't complain.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I don't want to turn this into a political slanging match, but this was not ever Bill Shorten's idea or Labor Party policy.

The AAAA along with a few other automotive groups, have been pushing this one for years. They have had a few wins lately but the auto manufacturers are a strong lobby group.

Dr Terry

I am all for supporting our local Industries/Farming etcetc, pity our pollies only look at it for short term gain and nothing else more.

[jpd80]

Safety certs should be waived on vehicles less than four years / 80,000 km
to encourage those owners to keep trading up to newer vehicles.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Safety certs should be waived on vehicles less than four years / 80,000 km
to encourage those owners to keep trading up to newer vehicles.

Do you mean pink slips ? i.e. road worthy certificates.

[Davehoos]

I service a local government fleet in NSW.

Part of having a fleet is having an in house maintanance system that is much stronger than for the general public. Most money people tell me 5 years for car and 8 years for plant equipment.

Talking to other tradesmen doing the same with other fleets most companies are doing the same. This was the reason NSW went with a cost saving 5 years for the first inspection and an inspection when the car changes hand.

If the dealers don't supply service training and back up why would you buy there products--we sold off our ford fleet. now have D-MAX hilux and Subaru commodore[old] X trail.

Tractors often last us 5000 hours graders around 10000 hours or 16 years. after that the cost of operaton balloons.

I get a new hino soon-150 000Km 10 years with factory scan tool and prts books provided.

[Maka]

This link is from 2016, speaking about the same thing -

"The landmark deal that could help car owners and save local mechanic workshops from extinction"

http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...2e7d1d34c58acd

cheers, Maka

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Not a fan of Bill but, I like this Policy

And how exactly does he propose this massive illegal theft of Intellectual Property would take place??

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

And how exactly does he propose this massive illegal theft of Intellectual Property would take place??

Full on as always Daz,

What were taking about is making these resources available at a reasonable cost. no theft.

Without this 3rd party mechanics will be resigned to working on older vehicles, and will eventually close.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

And how exactly does he propose this massive illegal theft of Intellectual Property would take place??

I didn't know tightening an alternator belt was illegal ip theft.

Then again, Case IH seem to think so.

[FTE217]

LOL, one day soon everything will come down to IP theft or insult, imagine abusing the can by its name

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

10,000 hours is the lifespan we usually budget for.

You can keep things going for a while with engine rebuilds and such but once frames start cracking that's it.

We recently retired 2 versatile 1050's for that reason. Old girls had been toiling since the mid 80's so can't complain.

Fair enough MB. There is always also the Aussie ingenuity approach, you end up with huge custom equipment like this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6w-ZnkeXI7c

Note, its basically 1940s level of mechanical tech, and don't it go!

[FTE217]

Love the diesel bill lol but love it !

[five 7]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Regular roadworthy's should be carried out by a designated testing station, not linked to any mechanical workshop just like they do in New Zealand.

Its a quick process done by bookings, without corruption.

Unfortunately some mechanics would always find faults, and ruin the industries reputation

VTNZ is run by Govt, But Wof (Warrant of fitness) is also given by private approved workshops that also do mechanical repairs. Lenght of Wof can be from 6 months to 3 years depending on first registration of car. Info can be found at NZ transport Agency...

[FTE217]

https://www.accc.gov.au/media-releas...ir-information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W46...ature=youtu.be

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5780244459001

and here is as quoted, AAAA have been on this for 3yrs :

On Sunday 13th of May, Bill Shorten (Leader of the Opposition) and Andrew Leigh (Shadow Minister for Competition) announced that the ALP have adopted Mandatory Data Sharing as an election commitment. This announcement follows three years of work from AAAA staff and members speaking with local MPs and with Andrew Leigh. This is a welcome development in the Choice of Repairer Campaign.

[ivorya]

if you recall, written into the FTA was a clause that gave OEM exclusive rights to THEIR vehicles. That's right, even though you BUY the vehicle, you don't own the serviceability. You have to take the vehicle to the Manufacturer for service, parts etc. causing a whole service (mechanics) industry to die.
I'm glad Shorty is talking about it and has a plan!

How anyone could write this in, I have no idea!!!

I'm glad the rubbish the LIBS have signed us up for has been seriously watered down!

[FTE217]

agree, I'm only ****ed its shorten taking this up but its better than no one at all.

and people are fapping over the future EV's, hope they short en out ! pardon the pun.