Published Thursday, 12 July, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
V8 Supercars and industry experts get behind Queensland +e ethanol campaign
High profile AutoChic Juliet Potter and V8 race car driver Shane Beikoff are the Queensland Government’s latest recruits in its +e ethanol campaign.
Minister for State Development John Mickel said the two highly regarded experts in their fields would help drive consumer confidence in ethanol blended fuel.
“The +e campaign is designed to dispel myths about ethanol and provide motorists with information on the performance, health, environmental and economic benefits of ethanol blended fuels, or +e fuels,” he said.
Mr Mickel said recent research indicated that the +e campaign, now in its second year, was changing attitudes.
“The latest findings from research commissioned by the Queensland Government and undertaken by TNS Australia reveal that of motorists surveyed since October 2005, purchase of ethanol fuel has increased from 14 per cent to 39 per cent,” he said.
“Awareness of the availability of ethanol blended fuel has increased and perceptions of fuel quality have clearly improved.
“In fact, three out of four motorists surveyed who purchase ethanol blended fuel are repeat purchasers.”
Mr Mickel said in their role as campaign champions, both Ms Potter and Mr Beikoff would build on this good work and offer invaluable support in the promotion of ethanol blended fuels.
Since 1999, Ms Potter has been leading the way to feminise Australia’s automotive industry. She is regarded as the pre-eminent female auto industry expert through her role as Director of AutoChic, a communications consultancy that specialises in selling automotive products and services to women.
Ms Potter said she hoped to bring a different approach to the campaign by empowering women to make an educated choice about ethanol blended fuel.
“Recent research conducted by the Queensland Government shows that female motorists have the least affinity with ethanol blended fuel,” Ms Potter said.
“They also have low levels of awareness of availability at their service stations, and limited knowledge of the impact on vehicle performance or effect on their vehicles.
“I see that my role will add a new dimension to the campaign by answering questions about +e fuels to build consumer confidence and increase awareness levels about the benefits of ethanol blended fuel among Queensland’s female motorists.
“Through my work in the automotive industry I am dedicated to providing practical and targeted advice to female motorists and this includes promoting the considerable advantages of using ethanol blended fuels.”
Mr Mickel said Shane Beikoff – mechanic, businessman, V8 driver and born and bred Queenslander – brought a highly technical edge and passion for motoring to the +e campaign.
“This is the second year Shane has dedicated his time for the +e campaign, and his focus this year will be on providing technical support and education sessions for specialist and motorist groups,” he said.
“In addition, the Shane Beikoff Racing V8 Supercar Team will feature the +e campaign identity on the side of the #68 V8 Supercar in the 2007 Fujitsu Championships at the Queensland Raceway in Ipswich next Friday 20 July.”
This is the first year that V8 Australia are supporting and committed to ethanol blended fuels, all V8s in the Series are racing on Shell V-Power Racing, high octane, 5% ethanol blended fuel.
Mr Beikoff and Ms Potter join racing legend Sir Jack Brabham OBE as champions for the +e campaign.
The +e campaign is part of the $7.3 million Queensland Ethanol Industry Action Plan 2005-2007 which is designed to support development of the State’s fuel ethanol infrastructure.
As part of the Action Plan, the Queensland Government has allocated $4.8 million to the Queensland Ethanol Conversion Initiative to enable independent and major retailers make ethanol blended fuels more accessible to motorists.
+e fuels are now available at over 240 service stations across the State.
For more information on Juliet Potter, Shane Beikoff or +e fuels, visit www.ethanol.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
12 July, 2007
Minister for State Development John Mickel said the two highly regarded experts in their fields would help drive consumer confidence in ethanol blended fuel.
“The +e campaign is designed to dispel myths about ethanol and provide motorists with information on the performance, health, environmental and economic benefits of ethanol blended fuels, or +e fuels,” he said.
Mr Mickel said recent research indicated that the +e campaign, now in its second year, was changing attitudes.
“The latest findings from research commissioned by the Queensland Government and undertaken by TNS Australia reveal that of motorists surveyed since October 2005, purchase of ethanol fuel has increased from 14 per cent to 39 per cent,” he said.
“Awareness of the availability of ethanol blended fuel has increased and perceptions of fuel quality have clearly improved.
“In fact, three out of four motorists surveyed who purchase ethanol blended fuel are repeat purchasers.”
Mr Mickel said in their role as campaign champions, both Ms Potter and Mr Beikoff would build on this good work and offer invaluable support in the promotion of ethanol blended fuels.
Since 1999, Ms Potter has been leading the way to feminise Australia’s automotive industry. She is regarded as the pre-eminent female auto industry expert through her role as Director of AutoChic, a communications consultancy that specialises in selling automotive products and services to women.
Ms Potter said she hoped to bring a different approach to the campaign by empowering women to make an educated choice about ethanol blended fuel.
“Recent research conducted by the Queensland Government shows that female motorists have the least affinity with ethanol blended fuel,” Ms Potter said.
“They also have low levels of awareness of availability at their service stations, and limited knowledge of the impact on vehicle performance or effect on their vehicles.
“I see that my role will add a new dimension to the campaign by answering questions about +e fuels to build consumer confidence and increase awareness levels about the benefits of ethanol blended fuel among Queensland’s female motorists.
“Through my work in the automotive industry I am dedicated to providing practical and targeted advice to female motorists and this includes promoting the considerable advantages of using ethanol blended fuels.”
Mr Mickel said Shane Beikoff – mechanic, businessman, V8 driver and born and bred Queenslander – brought a highly technical edge and passion for motoring to the +e campaign.
“This is the second year Shane has dedicated his time for the +e campaign, and his focus this year will be on providing technical support and education sessions for specialist and motorist groups,” he said.
“In addition, the Shane Beikoff Racing V8 Supercar Team will feature the +e campaign identity on the side of the #68 V8 Supercar in the 2007 Fujitsu Championships at the Queensland Raceway in Ipswich next Friday 20 July.”
This is the first year that V8 Australia are supporting and committed to ethanol blended fuels, all V8s in the Series are racing on Shell V-Power Racing, high octane, 5% ethanol blended fuel.
Mr Beikoff and Ms Potter join racing legend Sir Jack Brabham OBE as champions for the +e campaign.
The +e campaign is part of the $7.3 million Queensland Ethanol Industry Action Plan 2005-2007 which is designed to support development of the State’s fuel ethanol infrastructure.
As part of the Action Plan, the Queensland Government has allocated $4.8 million to the Queensland Ethanol Conversion Initiative to enable independent and major retailers make ethanol blended fuels more accessible to motorists.
+e fuels are now available at over 240 service stations across the State.
For more information on Juliet Potter, Shane Beikoff or +e fuels, visit www.ethanol.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
12 July, 2007