COVER STORY ENERGY: How tomorrow's cars will leave a lighter 'footprint' The quest for greener cars is driving CSIRO scientists to step up research into hybrid engine and battery technologies, and light metals Full Story

Fed up with science and business partners drowning in electronic data, CSIRO set about finding how best to extract useful information from vast, and growing, data sets
Full Story
 

In the competitive and cost-conscious international healthcare market, Australian companies rely on quality for an ‘edge’
Full Story
 

As rising oil prices drive up the costs of conventional plastics, scientists are creating new, cheaper polymers that are also stronger and easier to recycle
Full Story
 

A new research collaboration is taking the first steps to extend the reach of Australia’s natural gas operations to distant, deep-ocean fields
Full Story
 

With shipping containers increasingly being used to export kiwifruit, New Zealand’s leading exporter is learning exactly what happens inside these 12-metre boxes so its product arrives in top condition
Full Story
 

Scientists have developed a human tissue sealant that uses light to form a seal five times stronger and 50 times faster than existing tissue adhesives
Full Story
 

OR DOWNLOAD ISSUE IN
PDF format (1.6MB)

For some time, the Australian automotive industry has been initiating global collaborations and growing its R&D capability. Geographic separation from the technology storehouses of Europe and North America drove engineers to critically assess technology and synthesise components into unique products to suit customers’ needs. As a result, Australia has an impressive breadth and depth of expertise in R&D – not yet effectively communicated to global centres in North America, Europe or, more importantly, Asia.

The local car market has changed dramatically. A plethora of brands and technology is available to consumers – far more than in any other country. Australian vehicle manufacturers’ home base is being steadily eroded by a steady influx of new imports. While local car manufacturers struggle to match their products to the needs of local customers, they are finding new markets around the globe.

Any country can produce cars and access today’s automotive technology. The vitality of the Australian automotive industry depends on developing the technical capability to create and manufacture tomorrow’s vehicles. Our next generation of engineers and scientists is one key. Another is the transformation of our suppliers into global participants and technology leaders.

Our industry is built on innovative businesses driven by a passionate band of industrialists. They are calling for an Australian innovation framework to enable development of world-class capabilities on what is still an uneven playing field globally. The sheer volume of funds being invested overseas in research activities must be countered in Australia by focused and strategically designed initiatives that are flexible and non-onerous for our innovators.

Industry–research collaborations created by the AutoCRC are challenging the way the industry thinks and operates. Communication between industry professionals and researchers is creating graduates with practical exposure to real-world challenges, and evolving ‘PhD-ready’ companies as new technology leaders.

International R&D collaboration drives world-class innovation, as the AutoCRC connects global car makers and suppliers with Australian research capability. Continued commitment to this strategy will yield the results we need.

Dr Gary White
Research Program Manager,
CRC for Advanced Automotive Technology (AutoCRC)

Last Updated: June 16, 2008
© 2006 CSIRO Australia. For use of CSIRO material contact solve@csiro.au
 
Use of this website and content is subject to our Legal Notice and Privacy Statement.
Please contact us for assistance, or to provide feedback or comments.