The key component of the capability development program is by way of a $4.75 million grant to the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Automotive Technology (AutoCRC).

“The AutoCRC will work with any supplier wishing to participate, drawing up a tailored improvement plan for specific processes and projects,” Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said.

“The AutoCRC will use its highly regarded Automotive Supplier Excellence Australia program and draw on its extensive benchmarking knowledge to ensure that improvement plans are world-class and embody best practice,

“By increasing their capabilities and competitiveness, automotive component suppliers will put themselves in a better position to serve the local market and integrate into highly competitive global supply chains.”

The Automotive Supply Chain Development Program (ASCDP) also granted:

• $1 million to Ford Australia; $1 million to GM Holden; and $1.8 million to Toyota Australia to work collaboratively with their main suppliers; and
• $76,000 to Frontline Australia; $100,000 to Futuris; $75,000 to Toyota Boshoku Australia; and $76,484 to ZF Lemforder to work with Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers.

“The Automotive Supply Chain Development Program is about boosting the productivity and job capacity of individual firms and the industry as a whole,” Senator Carr said.

The four-year, $20 million competitive grants program is funded by the Rudd Government’s $6.2 billion New Car Plan for a Greener Future. The next round of ASCDP funding will be open for applications from July 1, 2010.

For further information about the program, visit www.innovation.gov.au

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