The Australian Federal Government has awarded $7.3 million to 13 automotive suppliers to help them “develop new markets beyond the automotive sector”.
With Ford having announced it will close its manufacturing operations in 2016, and the future of Holden and Toyota building cars in this country uncertain, the Australian Government’s Automotive New Markets Program (ANMP) is partially targeted at businesses who rely on the car sector to survive.
Jointly funded by the Australian, Victorian and South Australian governments, this second round of offers worth $7.3 million was to be the last. In direct response to Ford’s closure announcement, however, the ANMP will now offer a third round of awards worth $12 million.
“The automotive supply chain is a vital part of Australia’s multi-billion dollar car manufacturing sector,” said Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr (above).
“The ANMP is designed to help companies capture new business opportunities in domestic and overseas markets.
“It is essential that we maintain a strong automotive supply chain in Australia by providing opportunities to expand their product and market base.”
In this second round, grants of up to $1 million each were awarded, funding such projects as development of cast copper furnace heat exchangers for the mining industry; dual-walled plastic glassware for pubs and clubs; engine and fuel management systems suitable for unmanned aerial system engines; and the establishment of a “global centre of excellence” for automotive infotainment systems.
The ANMP is part of the Automotive New Markets Initiative which is now worth $47 million, the majority of which has been earmarked for the local car industry.
