Origin
The concept for the Auto Innovation Centre began in 2013 with a visit by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Garage in the USA. The Garage brought together designers and engineers across the automotive aftermarket to collect vehicle data and improve the capacity of firms to generate quality products in shorter timeframes.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket has been growing rapidly, with Australian consumers increasingly seeking to personalise, modify and improve their vehicles for off-road, camping, performance or show. With this in mind, the AAAA began working on concepts for an Australian based centre, tailoring the offering to meet the unique needs of the Australian industry.
In 2018, the Federal Government and the Victorian Government provided a commitment for grant funding to establish two facilities in Victoria and South Australia, the states most affected by the closure of the large auto manufacturing plants. In 2019 work began in earnest on the establishment of the Auto Innovation Centre, with the Victorian facility launching in December 2019. The South Australian facility will launch in 2020.
Mission
The AIC mission is to bring together the industry and promote the adoption of new technologies, and provide testing services to demonstrate product compliance to Australian Design Rules. The AIC motto is ‘Centre of Excellence’. We want to provide an open-door facility where companies can collaborate, and facilitate training to allow companies to take advantage of new methods of work.