AAAE: Minister Horne supports aftermarket
BY MATT BROGAN | 15th Apr 2024
VICTORIAN roads and road safety minister Melissa Horne praised the rate of change and innovation taking place across the automotive industry during a visit to last week’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE) in Melbourne.
Minister Horne addressed AAAE attendees at the Expo Electrified Zone demonstration area, where she also credited the work of the Australian Auto Aftermarket Association for supporting innovation.
“It is really good to be here to support the incredible work that the AAAA is doing and to be able to see the innovations that are occurring with this sort of vehicle,” she said referencing a Ford F-150 Lightning on display at the Expo.
The F-150 Lightning was recently acquired by the AAAA’s Auto Innovation Centre, along with a Polestar 2, assisted by a Victorian government grant drawn from the ZEV Commercial Sector Innovation Fund.
“I first saw this vehicle a few months ago,” said Minister Horne. "And had such a rich conversation with people who are working in the electric vehicle industry. Without a doubt, this is the future of the industry.”
Minister Horne remarked on the importance of change within the aftermarket, acknowledging that government support is imperative in assisting the industry to transition toward a low- and zero-emissions car parc.
“It is important for the government to be able to come and see the innovations that the industry is doing, but also to be able to support it, because it is critical for us to achieve decarbonisation goals,” she emphasised.
“This is something the government stands beside and we want to help the AAAA to achieve what we all collectively want to achieve, which is decarbonisation (of the transport fleet).”
On a more personal note, Minister Horne said she was personally impressed by the rate of change within the industry, noting in particular the rapid shift towards electrification.
“Being able to have (access to) really clever technology like this just blows me away,” she said while examining the battery pack and control units of the Ford F-150 Lightning displayed.
“The technology that has gone into this (vehicle) compared with old internal combustion engines marks a tipping point for the next generation of innovation.”
