Thursday April 16
COVID-19 research dominates Cox Automotive April report
Cox Automotive says it April 2020 market research report is devoted entirely to COVID-19 related news and research.READ ONLINE
More than 11,300 SME register for SA cash grants
More than 11,300 South Australian small businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions have registered for the state governments $10,000 cash grants.READ MORE
Wednesday April 15
Driving COVID-19 message home with BMW ConnectedDrive
To encourage its customers to follow government recommendations to enjoy Easter at home to help contain the spread of COVID-19, BMW Group Australia used embedded technology in its cars to message more than 46,000 owners prior to the long weekend.READ ONLINE
Wednesday April 1
Will Japanese state of emergency affect Aussie car exports?
It is likely to be this afternoon before the automotive industry fully understands what Japan entering a state of emergency will mean for the motor industry.READ MORE
Survey reveals Aussies are still looking to buy cars
Carsales.com.au says it continues to provide both its customers and dealers with support amidst the uncertain market conditions brought about by COVID-19.READ MORE
Attorney-General outlines proposed Fair Work Act amendments
The Attorney-General and minister for industrial relations Christian Porter has outlined proposed changes to the Fair Work Act to allow employers some flexibility within the governments forthcoming JobKeeper package.READ ONLINE
Tuesday April 7
Morton taking over public service portfolio
The assistant minister to the prime minister and cabinet, MP Ben Morton will temporarily take over responsibility for public service matters including the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC).READ ONLINE
Complimentary Ford 2nd car for healthcare workers
Frontline healthcare workers have been given complimentary access to the Ford 2nd Car program for up to four weeks, as the nationwide dealership network steps up to support local communities.READ MORE
Monday April 6
Hyundai extends warranty on 27,000 Australian cars
More than 27,000 Hyundai vehicles in Australia with original warranties that expire between 1st March 2020 and 30th May 2020, will benefit from a warranty extension until 31st May 2020.READ MORE
Energy bill relief essential for small business
A move to provide immediate bill relief across three states to small businesses and households struggling to pay electricity and gas bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been welcomed by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG).READ MORE
AADA: dealers need government help to survive COVID-19
New car sales figures in March are the worst monthly result in more than a decade and serve as an indicator of the hardship dealers will face in coming months says the Australian Automotive Dealers Association.READ MORE
Friday April 3
Ford Australia launches customer pick up and drop off service
In response to the COVID-19 emergency, Australian Ford dealers are now offering customers a complimentary vehicle pick up and drop off solution when their car needs servicing or warranty repair.READ ONLINE
AAAA welcomes Federal COVID-19 stimulus packages
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) says the federal governments COVID-19 stimulus packages will save businesses and jobs in the sector.READ ONLINE
Wednesday April 1
Dealerships are open for urgent Takata airbag repairs
Car manufacturers are reminding vehicle owners that dealerships are open and ready to complete the rectification of faulty Takata airbags which can harm or kill people in the event of a deployment.
READ MORE
Tuesday March 31
JobKeeper payments for employers up to 6 months
The Australian government will provide a wage subsidy to around 6 million workers who will receive a flat payment of $1,500 per fortnight through their employer, before tax.READ MORE
Monday March 30
Essential workers get service priority at Mitsubishi Motors dealerships
Mitsubishi Motors Australia dealership service centres are prioritising the service and repair of vehicles owned by healthcare and other workers who are involved in providing essential services to the nation.READ ONLINE
Six-month moratorium on commercial tenancy evictions announced
Prime minister Scott Morrison yesterday announced as part of its work on helping businesses hibernate, the national cabinet agrees that short-term intervention is needed for commercial tenancies.READ MORE
CCF: council’s behaviour completely unacceptable
At a time when the community needs services and support, members of South Australia’s Civil Contractor Federation (CCF) are reporting a progressive contraction in local government activities due to virus restrictions.READ MORE
Car dealers frozen out of government relief package
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) says Prime Minister Morrison’s business hibernation package announced on March 27 doesn’t go far enough because many car dealers have been frozen out of the assistance thresholds.READ MORE
Friday March 27
Don’t be a vehicle hoarder says Car Next Door
Australian car-sharing company Car Next Door is pleading to its more than 180,000 members not to hoard their car.READ ONLINE
Holden dealers offer Covid-19 support to governments and health authorities
Despite the forthcoming closure of their brand, Holden dealers remain focussed on serving their customers and communities.READ MORE
Thursday March 26
Northern Territory government responds to Covid-19
The Northern Territory government says Covid-19 is doing more damage to its economy than any natural disaster so it is investing more than $120 million to protect businesses and jobs.READ MORE
Rescue package to save jobs in South Australia
Saving South Australian jobs and supporting key industries and local businesses survive will be the focus of an immediate $650 million jobs rescue package to be unveiled by the Marshall government today.READ MORE
Wedneday March 25
NZ vehicle distributors respond to Covid-19 lockdown
New Zealand’s vehicle distribution industry and their franchise dealerships have quickly responded to ensure all non-essential services are shut down by 2359 hours today as the country heads into a four-week Covid-19 level 4 lock down.READ MORE
Cox Automotive launches Covid-19 dealer assistance program
Recognising that the next couple of months are going to be tough for the motor vehicle industry, Cox Automotive Retail Solutions is launching a Covid-19 dealer assistance program.READ MORE
Tuesday March 24
Government support package for businesses
The Australian government has introduced a $189 bn economic support package to the nation which includes measures to boost cash flow for employers, temporary relief for financially distressed businesses, increasing the instant asset write-off, as well as backing business investment and supporting apprentices and trainees.READ MORE
FCAI: business as usual for dealerships
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) says automotive brands and dealer networks will remain open to provide sales and service support to customers following the government’s announcement of further restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.READ MORE
AADA: Parts and service departments are essential services
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association secretariat is asking all state governments to consider dealership parts and service departments as an essential service, should further legal restrictions be placed on businesses in the battle to contain the Covid-19 virus.READ MORE
Monday March 23
VACC: Automotive businesses must maximise social distancing
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is warning automotive businesses to take all care to maximise social distancing in the running of their business following the Step 1 measures imposed by premier Daniel Andrews today.READ MORE
Business as usual at Toyota dealerships
Toyota Australia has issued a statement saying there were minimal impacts to its operations due to Covid-19.READ MORE
No action if AGMs delayed – ASIC
No action will be taken if AGMs are postponed until the end of July because of the coronavirus Covid-19 threat.READ MORE
Challenging times ahead says Ford Australia boss
The president and chief executive officer of Ford Australia and New Zealand Kay Hart says the health and safety of employees, dealers, customers, and partners are the company’s highest priority in these extraordinary times.READ MORE
Reserve Bank establishing swap line for US dollars
The Reserve Bank of Australia and the U.S Federal Reserve is establishing a temporary reciprocal currency arrangement (swap line) to protect US dollar liquidity.READ MORE
Friday March 20
Melbourne luxury car dealer offers nationwide free delivery
Melbourne dealer Lorbek Luxury cars is urging customers to take advantage of the Government’s increased Instant Asset Write-Off initiative.READ MORE
Mazda Finance launches more flexible ownership options
Mazda Finance is launching a new financial package called Mazda Assured, offering customers more flexible ownership options tailored to their individual needs.READ MORE
Autocare 2020 postponed to October
Autocare 2020, Australia’s automotive education and training convention has been postponed until October.READ MORE
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