
Mahindra utes clock up million-kilometre milestone
Newcastle-based Valley Express, a professional courier service that specialises in working with the Australian mining industry, has been recognised by Mahindra this week for its loyalty after one of its Pik-Up utes recently clocked up more than a million kilometres.
Valley Express initially purchased five Mahindra Pik-Ups in 2021 to deliver equipment across the country, with the remaining four others also close to approaching the seven-figure milestone.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
The freight company was so impressed by the reliability of the utes that it added another two more last year.
'We have been really pleased with the performance of the Mahindra Pik-Up ute,' the Valley Express director Megan Hinds told CarExpert.
'The value for money is what attracted us to them in the first place. Essentially we can get two of these utes for the price of one well-known alternative.
'And since we've had them, they have proven to be extremely reliable which is critical for our business.'
Valley Express labels itself as an 'urgent' freight company that assists with delivering anything from a small satchel to heavy equipment for breakdown repairs.
Its Mahindra Pik-Ups have travelled across the country from their Newcastle base, as far afield as Alice Springs, Far North Queensland and Western Australia.
'Each car covers approximately 5000-7000 kilometres a week, or around 250,000km a year, and they are on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week,' added Hinds.
Each Pik-Up is fully serviced weekly by Hunter Valley Mahindra in Rutherford.
'We have had to do a bit of maintenance with them over that time, and replaced the gearbox on each of them every 250,000km or so,' said Hinds.
'But that has been more of a preventative measure, other than general wear and tear and consumables like tyres and brakes. We haven't had a vehicle off the road or let us down on the job.
'They are all still running the original engine, with the same fuel-injectors, turbochargers, alternators and power steering pumps.'
Mahindra Automotive's Shivank Bargoti visited Valley Express earlier this week to recognise the longevity milestone of the company's vehicles, and to present Hinds and her team with a series of million-kilometres plaques for the utes.
'Valley Express has been a loyal Mahindra customer for years, and their million-kilometre fleet highlights what the Pik-Up was built for – dependable performance at exceptional value,' said Bargoti.
'This kind of longevity doesn't happen by accident. It's what makes Mahindra stand out in the real working world.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

9 News
27 minutes ago
- 9 News
'Head in the sand': How Australia needs to 'rethink' AI and work
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Artificial intelligence is making increasing inroads into the Australian workplace, but one education and skills training leader sees it as an opportunity, not a thing to lament. Global education company Pearson's AI modelling division, Faethm, recently found that just three technologies are responsible for 80 per cent of the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. These include robotic process automation, simple chatbots, and the more complex large-language model (LLM) chatbots. AI is bringing change to the modern workplace. (Getty) And the Faethm data also showed which industries were set to feel the heaviest impacts from AI in the coming three years, namely, professional, scientific, and technical services; financial and insurance services; health and social care; and manufacturing. Pearson Enterprise Learning and Skills Asia Pacific vice president Craig McFarlane said this data revealed a number of truths. "A lot of people have their head in the sand about AI," he said. Craig McFarlane, Pearson APAC vice president. (Pearson) "This is not a head-in-the-sand moment." McFarlane said Pearson's focus was on the skills gaps likely to emerge in the next few years - what workplace activity would become redundant, and, crucially, the new skills that would be required. But he emphasised the potential in AI for improving productivity and offering everybody new opportunities in the workplace. Healthcare is one of the industries most impacted. (Getty) "The first step is around awareness of what this can do and how it can help you," he said. "We tell people go out and experiment with what's out there, have a play - the best way to learn how to do something is by trying it." Fears of job losses linger in the air of many discussions around AI, but McFarlane suggested that was born of a limited perspective. "When (Microsoft) Excel came out, everybody thought it was going to be the death of the accounting sector - this magic program could do it all for you," he said. "But I mean, accountancy is stronger than ever. Industries pivot." What will change as AI becomes ever more ingrained, however, is peoples' roles in their respective workplace. AI is likely to fill workplace needs for process-based tasks, such as administration and support - McFarlane estimates he can save up to a day going through post-holiday emails now compared to three years ago. "The data shows which early-career industries could be most affected as well," he said. "We have to rethink how we prepare young people for the workforce." Artificial Intelligence jobs work workplace Australia national Tech CONTACT US Auto news: Why Australians are still driving around without insurance.


The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Why BlueFloat's demise is just the beginning, not the end of offshore wind
The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important. The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important. The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important. The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important.


The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Ex-PM Morrison urges strong US alliances over China
US alliances and partnerships must be strengthened to push back against Chinese economic coercion, former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has told a US congressional panel. "This is as true in the economic sphere as it is in the security sphere," Morrison said in a rare appearance by a country's former leader before Congress. He shared with the House Select Committee on China his experience of coping with the country's trade punishments - including restrictions on imports of Australian wine, barley and more - when his government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Morrison, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, said US allies and partners can be tapped to build an alternative supply chain of rare earths, used in technology such as smartphones. For such alliances and partnerships to work, "there has to be a strong core, and that requires a strong America," he said. US alliances and partnerships must be strengthened to push back against Chinese economic coercion, former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has told a US congressional panel. "This is as true in the economic sphere as it is in the security sphere," Morrison said in a rare appearance by a country's former leader before Congress. He shared with the House Select Committee on China his experience of coping with the country's trade punishments - including restrictions on imports of Australian wine, barley and more - when his government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Morrison, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, said US allies and partners can be tapped to build an alternative supply chain of rare earths, used in technology such as smartphones. For such alliances and partnerships to work, "there has to be a strong core, and that requires a strong America," he said. US alliances and partnerships must be strengthened to push back against Chinese economic coercion, former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has told a US congressional panel. "This is as true in the economic sphere as it is in the security sphere," Morrison said in a rare appearance by a country's former leader before Congress. He shared with the House Select Committee on China his experience of coping with the country's trade punishments - including restrictions on imports of Australian wine, barley and more - when his government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Morrison, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, said US allies and partners can be tapped to build an alternative supply chain of rare earths, used in technology such as smartphones. For such alliances and partnerships to work, "there has to be a strong core, and that requires a strong America," he said. US alliances and partnerships must be strengthened to push back against Chinese economic coercion, former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has told a US congressional panel. "This is as true in the economic sphere as it is in the security sphere," Morrison said in a rare appearance by a country's former leader before Congress. He shared with the House Select Committee on China his experience of coping with the country's trade punishments - including restrictions on imports of Australian wine, barley and more - when his government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Morrison, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, said US allies and partners can be tapped to build an alternative supply chain of rare earths, used in technology such as smartphones. For such alliances and partnerships to work, "there has to be a strong core, and that requires a strong America," he said.