AN AUTOMOTIVE hub has been opened in South Australia that allows aftermarket developers and manufacturers access to a variety of new vehicles to develop new accessory products.

The South Australian Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) is the brainchild of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and is designed to support South Australian automotive product manufacturers in their research and development.

It is the second national AIC following the opening of the Victorian head office in December 2019.

AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said the AIC was the result of more than five years of work by the association and was modelled on the SEMA Garage in the US.

He said the South Australian and Victorian facilities would increase the industry’s access to the technologies, services and training and development opportunities the AIC can offer for their direct benefit.

The AIC, co-located with Brabham and Precision Buses at the Fusion Capital Holding facility in Edinburgh, offers a mix of key services to the automotive industry, including ADR testing and electronic stability control (ESC) validation.

Mr Charity said that with access to key new target vehicles, the AIC will obtain important vehicle data, use 3D scanning to assist aftermarket companies’ product development and allow developers to get “hands on” with these vehicles.

The AIC will have access to new production vehicles to obtain important vehicle data and use 3D scanning for companies to streamline new product development.

“Better data means better products and optimised integration of aftermarket products,” Mr Charity said.

“Training and education are key components of the AIC’s role in supporting the automotive industry.

“The AIC offers the perfect venue for automotive training on a range of technologies and new equipment, via a dedicated training facility.”

The facility has state-of-the-art robotic equipment to deliver premium vehicle testing services for product manufacturers, Sine-with-Dwell testing (ADR88) to validate Electronic Stability Control (ESC) performance, and brake performance testing (ADR31/35).

The AIC will also provide product-level testing via static and dynamic loading plus vibration validation.

The advanced workshop equipment and technology will be accessible to the industry and this includes the AIC’s investment into additive manufacturing through 3D printing equipment and training modules.

Mr Charity said the facility will be a hub for automotive training and education, playing a key role in inspiring the next generation of automotive industry workers. The AIC offers the perfect venue to ensure industry personnel can maximise their potential.

AIC managing director Luke Truskinger said: “This is a fantastic new facility for the industry, so we welcome companies contacting us to discuss how the Auto Innovation Centre can directly assist their business.”

By Neil Dowling