So first kick the industry in the guts, then promote them

[vztrt]

In all seriousness Bracks has to be doing it for the travel.

http://business.theage.com.au/busine...0723-duwk.html

Bracks and Conomos to sell car industry

Philip Hopkins

July 24, 2009
FORMER Victorian premier Steve Bracks and former Toyota Australia chief John Conomos are to act as roving international ambassadors to help drum up work for the Australian automotive sector.

Helping component suppliers gain access to international supply chains will be a key part of their brief. Mr Bracks will concentrate on the US, while Mr Conomos will focus on north Asia, particularly China.

The Federal Government has appointed the men under the automotive market access program (AMAP), which forms part of the Government's $6.2 billion green car plan.

Mr Bracks said the aim was for him and Mr Conomos to open doors, and provide intelligence back to government and industry. Mr Bracks, who chaired the Government's review into the Australian car industry, will travel to the US later this year.

"We must position ourselves for when world demand increases, to present our case strongly. The issue is demand. Demand is low, people aren't changing over vehicles," he said.

Mr Bracks said a more sustainable vehicle was the way of the future. He welcomed the visit to Australia of electric car entrepreneur Shai Agassi.

"The electric car is very important. We are going to see probably the biggest revolution in automotive since the internal combustion engine was produced. The next 15 years will see profound changes," he said.

"We're looking at transition arrangements — diesel and hybrids. We'll be looking at various fuel-efficient, light-weight vehicles. Electric vehicles will be part of the mix, no doubt."

Mr Bracks said to survive, Australian component makers had to get bigger and market internationally, as well as to the three domestic producers.

"We must find markets for them and they must be big and effective enough to supply those markets," he said.

Mr Conomos said that China was an emerging market. "There are opportunities to promote exports of technology and high-tech components," he said.

[platinumXR]

Why can't he go to North America and woo the likes of Milodon, Holley, Manley, Edelbrock, Aeromotive in stead? We don't need any more cheap nasty Chinese knock off rubbish...

...I need more coffee....

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by platinumXR

...I need more coffee....

I think you do. This story is about promoting Australian automotive products to the world, not importing other products in to Australia.

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

I think you do. This story is about promoting Australian automotive products to the world, not importing other products in to Australia.

Yeah I read that too...but...he can do that too can't he? :

...sorry...kettle is on...

[Wretched]

Not sure how they kicked the industry in the guts, but anyway hopefully something positive comes out of this.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Not sure how they kicked the industry in the guts,

The report released last year on the Australian Automotive industry.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by vztrt

The report released last year on the Australian Automotive industry.

Yeah I know and I stand by my comment, I didn't find much wrong with the report from last year, all my thoughts on that are in the relevant thread. In any case that's not the topic on hand.