AutoCRC

Through strategic industry-led research collaborations the Automotive Australia 2020 CRC will undertake research programs and build human capital in areas of vehicle electrification, gaseous fuels and production of greener vehicles and components.

AutoCRC has been successful in obtaining $26m from the Australian Government (over five years from July 2012), and the new Automotive Australia 2020 CRC will have major research nodes in Victoria, South Australia (UniSA), Queensland and NSW.

The three key research themes in Automotive Australia 2020 CRC will be

• Theme 1: Vehicle Electrification

• Theme 2: Gaseous Fuels

• Theme 3: Sustainable Automotive Manufacturing

Automotive Australia 2020 CRC is industry led, with a multidisciplinary research focus - in areas where the partners have already established an international reputation for research excellence. It also recognises that the successful development of low emission automotive transport is not simply a technical problem; it also requires a deep understanding of the social and behavioural factors that affect the uptake of any new technology.

Accordingly, Automotive Australia 2020 CRC will undertake an wide-ranging study aimed at identifying barriers to adoption, and developing innovative solutions for behavioural change. Automotive Australia 2020 CRC strategy is to commercialise each research output through the most appropriate combination of end-user groups, but the main mode of commercialisation will be by direct take-up by Industry Participants.

Automotive Australia 2020 CRC will have ongoing access to the management systems and networks developed by the predecessor CRC for Advanced Automotive Technology (2005-2012). The flagship supply chain development program Automotive Supplier Excellence Australia (ASEA) will also continue, under Automotive Australia 2020 CRC management. ASEA's goal is to assist Australian automotive suppliers in achieving world-class levels of competitiveness and sustainability.

Within the CRC framework, Institute researchers conduct applied research and work in close collaboration with government and industry partners.

Over 50 companies are now involved in ASEA's comprehensive program of benchmarking and improvement projects – with separate funding support under Australia's Automotive Supply Chain Development Program. As a partnership of world class teaching institutions, Automotive Australia 2020 CRC will also offer a comprehensive education program including technical short courses, industry projects for undergraduate students, postgraduate scholarships, a visiting scholars program and international student exchanges.

 

This project is funded by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research as a 5 year Cooperative Research Centre

For further information, please contact Rocco Zito or Peter Pudney