Recently, I’ve had invitations to several fora on digital disruption and technological change. Emerging from these is the fact that every aspect of the economy – of which Australia’s automotive value chain is a significant contributor – will be impacted by digital and technological transformation. It was clear to me that the MTA Queensland, as the peak industry body, had two choices in dealing with this phenomenon. These were: either to be a leader or a follower for our industry.
Carmageddon, unveiled at the November 2016 President’s Ball, set the groundwork for MTA Queensland to be a leader. It was designed to explore the realm of implications the automotive industry would experience in the era of digital disruption and technological transformation.
The Carmageddon symposium on 7 March provided the platform for experts and industry leaders to address the critical implications and consider the linked issues ranging from innovation, digitisation, automation and data analytics.
Carmageddon – Leading the Way, that will take place on 12 July at the Sir Jack Brabham Centre of Excellence, will continue our industry leadership on digital disruption and technological change to an audience of members and stakeholders. For regional members, the event will be live-streamed. The central theme, drawn from a broad spread of topics is the unbundling of digital disruption implications and technological transformations that the automotive value chain will experience over the next decade. Coupled with this, are the significant opportunities for collaboration and innovation with the potential to provide a pathway to sustainable economic and environmental entrepreneurial activity.  The topics discussed will include: Queensland’s digital economy and global trends; 360 degree videos; virtual reality and augmented reality applications; changing business models and working smarter; electric/hybrid vehicle charging; autonomous vehicles and their impact; data management and privacy; start-up opportunities resulting from Industry Innovation Hubs; and legal implications of the digital revolution.
Supporting these topics will be the Queensland Government; Head of PwC Chair in Digital Economy, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz; a representative from Llewellyn Hyundai Virtual Dealerships; Immerse Academy, Head Educator and Imagineer, Lex Van Cooten; Imagus Technology P/L, Executive Director, Bruce Parker; Commonwealth Bank Michelle Koch and Liz Blinco; QUT Professor in Intellectual Property and Innovation Law, Dr Matthew Rimmer; and Telstra Business Development Executive specialising in the motor vehicle industry, David Naylor. The afternoon session will comprise the popular Landing Zone where attendees can experience hands-on demonstrations from a range of exhibitors. Each has developed leading innovative concepts for products and services that can be applied to businesses in the automotive value chain.
The ultimate aim of Carmageddon – Leading the Way is that our membership will leave the event with new, relevant and practical information to assist them to self-assess the need to transform their business models to compete and better engage with agencies and customers in an age of digital disruption and technological change. Wearing my cap as Group Chief Executive Officer, I’m of the belief that what MTA Queensland is doing in the space of innovation and business support solutions is ground-breaking for an industry peak body.
We are being recognised as the experts in the field and that’s important.

Activities

My schedule for the past month was weighted to the numerous briefings with presenters and exhibitors for Carmageddon – Leading the Way. Aligned to this was the invitation to be a keynote speaker at the 14 June, QUT Closing the technology loop on self-driving cars: A transdisciplinary forum to an audience of some 150 academics, government officials and business leaders. I provided a business perspective on the technical disruption facing the automotive value chain.

In essence, my focus was on one primary theme – that there was a wide range of possibilities regarding the eventual deployment of technological solutions, which was evidentially presented by Associate Professor Michael Milford. These would have varying effects on the safety, societal, local industry, government and legal landscapes. It is estimated that two-thirds of the Australian economy would be disrupted significantly within the next five years. I indicated that over the next three to 10 years there would be more technological change than in the past two centuries. This would have varying impacts on every aspect of the economy and society including the potential for 70-80 per cent of jobs that exist today to either disappear or transform; existing businesses having to be flexible and transformative; and start-ups being prepared to win and lose – faster than before. The keys to progressing through the digital disruption and technological maze were collaboration and innovation. I took the opportunity to promote Carmageddon – Leading the Way at which these issues will be further explored.

I met with the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) CEO Behyad Jafir to brief on MTA Queensland’s preparation for the automotive disruption. This was in response to the EVC’s view that there was a need to address the barriers preventing the uptake of electric vehicles with a consistent and collaborative effort by a range of sectors. I indicated that the Association would work closely with the EVC to ensure that key policy measures, such as incentivising electric vehicle purchase and establishing a roadmap for national public charging infrastructure, remained topical.

An exciting new potential opportunity has arisen for the MTA Queensland. Discussions with an established motorsport complex are proceeding and these may lead to us connecting on events/issues of mutual interest. These include: safe driving programs for L and P platers; advanced driving courses for licence holders; industry event hosting (e.g. Carmageddon events); MTA Queensland member track days/events (members to bring own cars); corporate team building; and fun motoring-themed events. I will keep you informed as this develops.

On another matter, Deputy Group CEO Kelly Dewar, GM MTA Institute Paul Kulpa and I met with MTA New Zealand. Primarily, the focus was on training apprentices and trainees as it is their intention to understand our approach to training and consider its application back in NZ. The meeting provided the opportunity to share and collaborate on policy issues.

And the last thing

My focus in the coming month will be to follow Carmageddon – Leading the Way contacts and initiatives; progressing commercial opportunities; interacting with stakeholders and growing the membership.

Until May, as Henry Ford, the industrialist and the founder of the Ford motor company said, ‘execute ideas with enthusiasm . . . as it is the bottom of all progress.’