Lovells gains post-registration modification approval for vehicle GCM revisions in WA

Lovells Automotive Systems has become the first local Second Stage Manufacturer (SSM) to gain approval for the fitment of its Australian designed and engineered suspension enhancements for post registration Gross Combination Mass (GCM) revisions under new Western Australian laws.

According to a statement from Lovells on Tuesday, WA’s new legislation brings the state in line with the rest of the nation, allowing vehicle owners to legally undertake GCM upgrades on already-registered vehicles when conducted by approved fitment and production facility centres. (Second Stage Manufacture refers to a base vehicle being modified to become an alternative vehicle.)

The WA law changes to safely increase vehicles’ weights were described by the government as responding to demand from the motoring industry as the popularity of four-wheel-driving and caravanning increases. The new standards are covered by WA Department of Transport’s Vehicle Technical Bulletins VTB-180A and VTB-181A

Lovells said its kits boost a vehicle’s standard load capacity in some cases by 15 per cent – including passengers, cargo, fuel, and accessories – and build off its existing Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrades.

Mike Davison, General Manager Lovells Automotive Systems, said: “These new rules validate Lovells’ long-standing commitment to developing legislation with State and Federal Regulators and designing safe, durable and high-performance upgrades. 

“Being the first company nationally to comply highlights a commitment to safety and technical excellence, while giving WA drivers a legal and reliable way to upgrade their vehicles for work or recreation – without compromising safety.”

The company added that, available immediately, the first vehicle to benefit from its GCM upgrades and comply with Western Australia’s new VTB-181A rules is the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

Editor’s note: Simon Crane, CEO and majority shareholder of parent company Lovells Group, will be part of a panel discussion at @AuManufacturing’s upcoming Spotlight on Scaling up event at UTS on June 25. Crane will appear alongside Jon Bulman, Senior Director of Manufacturing, Finisar, and  Martin U. Ripple, CEO, ANCA Group, in a discussion moderated by David Martin from the Australian Industry Group. Ticketing and other information is available here.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Lovells Automotive opens new R&D facility

Introducing Spotlight on Scaling Up: an unmissable June 25 event about one of Australian manufacturing’s key issues

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