A heightened commercial focus on Australia’s leading edge aftermarket performance, racing and tuning products will highlight an expanded 2012 Australian Automotive Week, to be held in Melbourne from 11 to 18 March.

Supported by the Victorian Government, the 2012 Australian Automotive Week will include a new program to showcase Australian designed and manufactured high performance accessories, equipment, parts and tools.

Timed to coincide with the  Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park, a full calendar of industry events organised by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is designed to create opportunities for local companies to showcase their technologies to both the local and international markets.

AAAA Senior Manager, Government Relations and International, Ben Bartlett said the industry welcomes the Victorian Government’s support for the aftermarket sector of the Australian automotive industry.

“Australia’s automotive aftermarket contributes over $8 billion a year to economic activity and employs 300,000 people. This special Australian Automotive Week program is a first for our industry sector and is recognition of its importance,” said Ben Bartlett.

“Companies keen to open new export markets and increase local sales are now applying to participate in the strategic suite of growth generating activities offered by this initiative,” he said.

The AAAA hosted activities scheduled for Australian Automotive Week include:
•    International buyer delegations from the Middle East and North America. They will attend site visits to local manufacturers and business-to-business matching meetings with Australian exporters.
•    Media tour by North American automotive magazine editors to meet local manufacturers and exporters.
•    A Victorian Motorsport Product Showcase - a purpose built 240 square metre pavilion at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix exhibiting state of the art Australian high performance brands. This will be a feature attraction for motoring enthusiasts attending the race.
•    Australian Automotive Aftermarket Conference exploring the theme “Harnessing technology to ensure a sustainable future”. Keynote speakers include:
o    Scott Luckett, Vice President Technology Standards, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, USA - “Rapid advances in technology will affect your business - are you ready?”
o    Glenn Cooper, Executive Chairman Coopers Brewery - “Positioning your brand in the digital marketing age”.
o    Brenton Cannizzaro, Principal, the Memphis Agency - “Business marketing through social media”.
o    Concurrent sessions will cover quality, supply chain, stock control using vehicle registration data, consumer law update, managing currency risk and human resources.
•    AAAA Gala Dinner with a special motorsport industry guest speaker.

“The Australian automotive aftermarket is innovative and there are many locally designed and manufactured high quality performance, racing and tuning components helping teams win races here and overseas. Building on the international success of other high profile Australian brands, local manufacturers including  Pedders Suspension, Harrop Engineering, and Dyno Dynamics are today in demand in export markets such as Asia, Europe and North America,” said Ben Bartlett.

“The Australian automotive aftermarket knows it can compete profitably in these tough exports markets. By choosing the right time and place - and developing high quality products - our aftermarket manufacturers are capturing a larger part of that global performance parts and equipment market place,” he said.

The AAAA has supported members for many years with a growing number of targeted business development activities, including: Organising international trade missions., Coordinating members’ participation in major international exhibitions, such as Automechanika Shanghai, Middle East, and Frankfurt; Performance Racing Industry Show USA and Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, USA.

“The objective of this new Australian Automotive Week aftermarket program is to continue this work to help Australian performance product producers gain access to export opportunities and to increase their sales using the latest marketing methods,” said Ben Bartlett.

In addition to the aftermarket program, Australian Automotive Week highlights will include:
•    Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers Breakfast Meeting
•    The Cars of Tomorrow Conference 2012 - a full day program hosted by AutoCRC, Low Emission Vehicle Automotive Partnership, Society of Automotive Engineers - Australasia and Society of Plastics Engineers.
•    Industry Capability Network business-to-business event.

Visit http://www.ausautoweek.com/ for further information and updates on the program.

Source: Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Media Release