$2.4m ‘green’ grant for manufacturer

An Adelaide business has received a $2.4 million grant to produce innovative, lightweight automotive mirrors that are expected to corner around 8 per cent of the global market.

Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr congratulated SMR Automotive Australia – which specialises in designing and manufacturing rear-vision systems – on receiving the Green Car Innovation Fund grant.

“The project will set up a pilot plant in Adelaide to adapt leading-edge technology to manufacture the rear-view mirrors,” Senator Carr said.

“The company estimates that if the pilot project leads to full production, its mirrors would lead to more fuel-efficient vehicles, saving about 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over five years, he said.

“This is a great example of the way Australia can specialise in a niche product and take new ideas to the world.

“SMR Automotive Australia will be working with the University of SA to develop the mirrors.

“The company estimates that the pilot plant will initially supply about 8 per cent of the global automotive market’s needs for rear view mirrors.”

SMR Automotive Australia produces automotive components for both domestic and international markets, with 78 per cent of its production being exported to customers in the US, Europe and Asia.

SMR Automotive Australia is a direct supplier of Australian-made mirrors to the US automotive sector.

The Green Car Innovation Fund is administered by AusIndustry. For more information, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au, call the hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.