Federal Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou, congratulated Nexteer Automotive Australia (Nexteer) on being awarded $63 million under the Australian Government’s Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF) for a project that will generate hundreds of new jobs. Nexteer (its Somerton Manufacturing plant is in the Calwell electorate) intends to develop and manufacture electric power steering systems, lightweight steering columns and drive line components that will make vehicles lighter and therefore more fuel efficient, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The funding will also support a new Melbourne Manufacturing Technical Centre for Nexteer to undertake its project works.The $63 million in GCIF funding, over three years, will be strengthened by an additional  contribution from the Victorian State Government.   
Maria Vamvakinou said the massive project will create more than 250 jobs over three years for Melbourne’s outer north-west region.
“This project is a major boost for manufacturing in our region, which is a stronghold of automotive manufacturing in Australia,” Ms Vamvakinou said.“Nexteer’s work will be equally as vital for Victoria and Australia as a whole as it will generate flow-on work and opportunities.“This funding will allow Nexteer to grow its innovative plans and be globally competitive in this highly skilled area of environmentally-friendly automotive components and technology. This is world-class manufacturing.”Through the Government’s $5.4 billion New Car Plan, which includes the GCIF, Australia is building high-skill jobs and helping manufacturers become leading players and ensuring significant co-investment from around the world.Visit www.innovation.gov.au or www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au