Steering in the right direction

With the assistance of the manufacturing hubs grant program, Australian Expedition Vehicles is now well equipped to create anyone's dream vehicle.

Fast facts

Business	Australian Expedition Vehicles Pty Ltd
Headquarters	Townsville, North Queensland
Employees	26
Grant funding	$125,639 from the manufacturing hubs grant program (2020-21).
Project	The purchase of a Vehico Steering Robot to allow testing of electronic stability control systems, in line with current industry standards. Modernise the existing testing processes using artificial intelligence, allowing for the electronic stability control system testing to be automated.
Benefits	3 jobs created.
Future growth	Expand operations through advanced technology.

Founded in 2016, Australian Expedition Vehicles specialises in automotive engineering and workshop modifications on all vehicles and offers quality workmanship including:

• gross vehicle margin upgrades
• lift kit installation
• long range fuel tank installation and certification
• chassis extensions and all automotive engineering certification.

With the support from the manufacturing hubs grant program, Australian Expedition Vehicles are now well equipped to create anyone’s dream vehicle.

Why the manufacturing hubs grant program?

After going along to a networking activity for advanced manufacturing, Australian Expedition Vehicles discovered the Queensland Government’s manufacturing hubs grant program for regional manufacturers.

After connecting with the Townsville manufacturing hub, Australian Expedition Vehicles received support with their advance manufacturing ideas and a grant to purchase an autonomous steering robot.

What did the project involve?

The purchase of a VEHICO Steering Robot allowed Australian Expedition Vehicles to undertake testing of electronic stability control systems, in line with current industry standards. Prior to this purchase, there were only 2 of these types of robots in Australia.

What happened next?

Using the VEHICO Steering Robot, Australian Expedition Vehicles is now able to carry out tests that are usually very difficult to access. This is a great commercial outcome as it means they can complete work faster. It is also a big asset for the company's own internal requirements for the manufacturing work they do on vehicles.

Australian Expedition Vehicles Managing Director Michael McMillan said the company is developing systems that are used in heavy gross vehicle mass upgrades, as part of industry solutions for use in the resource, emergency services and military vehicle sectors.

‘I want to thank the Queensland Government for this funding, which will make Australian Expedition Vehicles a more competitive business in the resource, emergency services and military vehicle sector,’ Mr McMillan said.

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• Download the Australian Expedition Vehicles Pty Ltd case study (PDF, 187.0KB).