In 2012, Bernie Quinn and Jim Jovanovski, two leaders at Prodrive Automotive Technologies Australia, decided to purchase the company that employed them.
Their employer was the business behind Ford’s high-performance cars in Australia, a now-famous model range known as Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV), the historic nemesis of GM-Holden’s HSV.
But when Ford began winding down its local new-car assembly operations, Bernie and Jim saw the opportunity to continue their team’s great work.
Thirteen years, hundreds of OEM carmaker programs and tens of thousands of new cars later, one thing is clear: They’re just getting started.
Here is a quick Q&A with the two people behind the incredible team who drive the leading Australian new-car engineering and manufacturing firm today known as Premcar.
Why did you both decide to buy Prodrive Automotive Technologies Australia, which was renamed to Premcar?
Bernie: Because I was worried I wouldn’t have somewhere to go the following Monday morning! The fact is I’ve always regretted the things I never did, not the things I’ve done, so I went for it.
Jim: I would have kicked myself if I didn’t have a go. Buying Prodrive Australia was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I had to grab it. It was going to be the greatest self-development opportunity in my life, which it has been.
What were your hopes for Premcar when you began together?
Bernie: From the start it was survival. When Jim and I took on the business we began at near-zero. It was like jumping off a building and making the parachute on the away down. And we succeeded.
Jim: To make our first five-year plan work succeed, and it did.
What was the first project you undertook as owners of Premcar?
Bernie and Jim: There was a carry-over program with Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV), which was the R-Spec Falcon, and a full chassis program for an overseas OEM carmaker.
Your proudest achievement so far?
Bernie: It’s still ahead of us. After quite a number of years, it’s about to land.
But right now, I am so proud of our team. We have, I believe, one of the most talented engineering teams in the world. The evidence of this is in the vehicles that our manufacturing team produces to world-class standards. Our engineering and manufacturing teams are supported by a fantastic back-office team in HR, Finance, Quality, and general admin. Our customers, and their customers, recognise and appreciate this quality. This makes me extremely happy, and is a credit to the Premcar team.
Jim: Making the move to our first full-scale vehicle production centre in Melbourne.
Most unexpected project so far?
Bernie: Continuing Premcar’s growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jim: Our first helicopter program.
Favourite customer feedback so far?
Bernie: A former GM executive recently said that Premcar “has been the most successful survivor to grow and flourish from the wreck of Australia’s car industry.”
Jim: The reactions of several top Nissan executives after they watched one of their most senior chassis engineers step from the Navara N-Trek WARRIOR, which was the first new-car program we delivered for Nissan. It was this engineer’s first time driving it and his stunned response said it all. I’ll never forget it.
Tell us a couple of things about Premcar that people won’t know?
Bernie: The name ‘Premcar’ doesn’t mean ‘Premium Cars’.
Jim: The former Prodrive company directors from whom we purchased the business bought us dinner the night we completed the transaction. Bernie and I went to pay the bill and they said, “No, we’ll pay. You can pay us back when you make your first million.” We owe them a few dinners…
What does the future hold for Premcar?
Bernie: Being 4-5 times larger than today.
Jim: Growing from a relatively small engineering services provider to a global manufacturer with multiple sites in different countries.
Tell us one thing about car making the world should know:
Bernie: It’s complicated. Despite what anyone claims, it’s complicated to get right.
Jim: Despite the complexities of carmaking, always choose your next car with your heart.
About Premcar:
Premcar Pty Ltd is a leading Australian vehicle engineering business that specialises in the automotive, defence and aerospace industries. For more than 25 years, global car-makers have made Premcar their go-to partner for the complete design, engineering and manufacture of niche-model new cars, full-scale new-vehicle development programs, and electric vehicle (EV) conversions and manufacturing. Premcar’s body of work is extensive. It is the name behind more than 200,000 new cars and 55,000 new-vehicle engines. The company has delivered technical advancements and sales success for major car brands from Europe, the USA, Japan, China and Australia. Visit premcar.au.
