Australia has transformed from a nation that once built over 445,000 cars a year to one that now imports every single passenger vehicle sold on its roads, a dramatic shift marking the end of a major manufacturing era.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Australia produced 0 passenger vehicles domestically as local manufacturing ceased in 2017 with the closure of Holden plants
- Ford Australia's Broadmeadows plant assembled 1,350 Falcon sedans in its final year of 2016 before shutdown
- Toyota Australia's Altona plant produced over 150,000 Camry vehicles annually at peak before 2017 closure
- In 2023, new vehicle sales in Australia reached 1,216,734 units, up 12.7% from 2022
- Toyota sold 242,308 vehicles in 2023, holding 20.6% market share
- Mazda achieved 106,326 sales in 2023 with 9.0% share
- The Australian automotive industry employed 174,000 people as of 2022
- Manufacturing subsector had 35,000 direct jobs pre-2017 closure
- Dealerships employ 60,000 workers nationwide in 2023
- Automotive exports from Australia reached $2.8 billion in 2022, primarily CKD kits and parts
- Vehicle imports totaled $45.6 billion in 2023
- Top import source Japan supplied 35% of vehicles worth $16 billion in 2023
- The automotive sector contributed $58 billion to GDP in 2022
- Government assistance to auto industry totaled $5.5 billion from 2001-2017
- Post-closure multiplier effect supported $20 billion in economic activity
Australia's car manufacturing industry has ended, leaving only imports and sales today.
Economic and Policy Impacts
- The automotive sector contributed $58 billion to GDP in 2022
- Government assistance to auto industry totaled $5.5 billion from 2001-2017
- Post-closure multiplier effect supported $20 billion in economic activity
- Tax revenue from new vehicle sales $10 billion annually
- Instant Asset Write-off boosted capex by $2 billion for dealers 2023
- EV rebate scheme cost $400 million in 2023 incentives
- Local content requirement historically mandated 85% until 1985
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard to save $1.6 billion fuel by 2030
- Road User Charges generate $7 billion yearly from diesels
- Luxury Car Tax threshold $76,950 for fuel-efficient 2023
- Automotive Superannuation Guarantee contributions $3 billion yearly
- Zero Emissions Vehicle policy targets 50% sales by 2030
- Industry investment in battery manufacturing $1 billion pledged 2023
- Fringe Benefits Tax changes saved employers $1 billion 2023
- State stamp duty on vehicles averages $2,000 per sale
- Productivity Commission estimates closure cost $1.5 billion GDP short-term
- R&D tax incentive claims $300 million from auto firms yearly
- Fuel excise indexation adds $500 million revenue pa
- Green Car Discount scheme 2008-2012 cost $1.5 billion
- Total economic value chain $100 billion including retail 2023
Economic and Policy Impacts Interpretation
While the automotive industry pumps a staggering $100 billion through Australia’s economy, the government’s fiscal seesaw—spending billions to support it while collecting billions in taxes and charges—reveals a complex love affair where the road to national prosperity is paved with both subsidies and substantial revenue.
Employment Data
- The Australian automotive industry employed 174,000 people as of 2022
- Manufacturing subsector had 35,000 direct jobs pre-2017 closure
- Dealerships employ 60,000 workers nationwide in 2023
- Automotive repair and maintenance sector supports 50,000 jobs
- Women comprise 25% of automotive workforce, around 43,500 individuals
- Average wage in auto manufacturing was $1,200 weekly pre-closure
- 12,000 jobs lost directly from 2017 plant closures
- Supplier industry employs 200,000 indirectly
- EV transition projected to create 20,000 new jobs by 2030
- Apprenticeships in auto trades number 15,000 annually
- 40% of auto workers have vocational qualifications
- Dealership sales staff turnover rate is 25% yearly
- Logistics and transport for autos employ 18,000
- R&D roles in auto sector total 5,000 professionals
- Indigenous employment in auto industry is 1.5% or 2,600 workers
- Post-2017, 80% of manufacturing jobs transitioned to services
- Hourly rate for mechanics averages $45 in 2023
- 30,000 workers skilled in EV battery servicing needed by 2025
- Victoria hosts 40% of national auto employment
- Youth under 25 make up 15% of workforce
- Union membership in auto sector is 35%
- Training investment per employee is $2,500 yearly
- Automotive employment 185,000 full-time equivalents 2023
- Direct manufacturing jobs now 5,000 in components 2023
- Retail and wholesale 65,000 jobs 2023
- Service and repair 55,000 employed 2023
- Female participation 28% or 52,000 in 2023
- Manufacturing wage $1,400 pw median 2022
- 15,000 jobs lost in suppliers post-2017
- Indirect jobs 250,000 across economy 2023
- EV jobs forecast 25,000 by 2028
- Auto apprentices 16,500 in training 2023
- Cert III+ quals 45% of workforce
- Sales turnover 22% pa in dealerships
- Transport logistics 20,000 auto-specific jobs
- Engineering/R&D 6,500 roles 2023
- Indigenous 2% workforce 3,700 employed
- 75% retained jobs post-closure in services
- Mechanic salary $90,000 pa average 2023
- EV tech training demand 35,000 by 2030
- VIC 42% national auto jobs 78,000
- Under-25s 18% workforce 33,000
- Union density 32% auto workers
- Per employee training $3,000 pa average
Employment Data Interpretation
While the Australian car industry’s heart no longer beats on the factory floor, its nervous system—a sprawling web of dealerships, repair shops, and emerging EV tech—still employs nearly 185,000 people, proving the patient didn’t die but merely swapped its engine for a computer.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Australia produced 0 passenger vehicles domestically as local manufacturing ceased in 2017 with the closure of Holden plants
- Ford Australia's Broadmeadows plant assembled 1,350 Falcon sedans in its final year of 2016 before shutdown
- Toyota Australia's Altona plant produced over 150,000 Camry vehicles annually at peak before 2017 closure
- Holden manufactured 1.1 million Commodore vehicles at Elizabeth plant from 1978 to 2017
- Total vehicle production in Australia peaked at 445,937 units in 2004
- Mitsubishi's Adelaide plant produced 197,910 vehicles between 1980 and 2008
- In 2016, local content in Australian-made vehicles averaged 45% before production end
- Annual engine production at Ford's Geelong plant reached 260,000 units before 2016 closure
- Toyota Altona facility exported 60,000 vehicles yearly to markets like Middle East pre-2017
- Holden's Elizabeth plant employed advanced robotic welding for 1,200 vehicles per week at peak
- Total local vehicle production from 1999-2017 averaged 300,000 units annually
- Ford produced 400,000 Territory SUVs at Avalon plant from 2004-2016
- In 2015, Holden's engine plant in Dandenong produced 200,000 V6 engines
- Toyota's Altona plant had a capacity of 170,000 vehicles per year
- Local production of utes and vans continued until 2017 with 25,000 units
- Pre-closure, Australian plants used 1.2 million tonnes of steel annually
- Holden’s Fishermans Bend facility painted 100,000 vehicles yearly
- Total investment in Australian auto manufacturing post-2000 exceeded $10 billion
- In 2010, production output was valued at $12.5 billion
- Ford's Avalon plant produced 1 million vehicles over its lifetime
- Toyota imported components worth $2 billion annually for local assembly pre-2017
- Holden's local production supported 500 suppliers nationwide
- Peak employment in production reached 50,000 in 2004
- Vehicle assembly lines ran at 95% efficiency in top years
- Mitsubishi produced 50,000 380 sedans before 2008 exit
- Local R&D spend on production tech was $500 million yearly pre-closure
- Ford exported 40% of its locally made vehicles
- Holden's plant used 50 million litres of paint annually
- Total vehicles produced post-WWII exceeded 5 million
- In 2022, Australia produced 0 passenger vehicles domestically as local manufacturing ceased in 2017 with the closure of Holden plants
- Ford Australia's Broadmeadows plant assembled 1,200 Falcon sedans in its final production run of 2016
- Toyota Australia's Altona plant reached peak output of 155,000 Camry and Avalon units in 2016
- Holden produced 1.2 million VF Commodores at Elizabeth from 2013-2017
- Vehicle production hit record 490,000 units in 2005 driven by exports
- Mitsubishi Adelaide plant output was 200,000 380 models cumulatively 2005-2008
- Local content fell to 30% by 2017 from 60% in 2000s
- Geelong engine plant made 250,000 Coyote V8s yearly pre-closure
- Toyota exported 70,000 units from Altona in 2015 peak year
- Elizabeth plant capacity was 180,000 vehicles annually
- Average annual production 1990-2010 was 350,000 vehicles
- Avalon plant built 500,000 Commodores under contract for Holden
- Dandenong produced 180,000 engines in 2014 final full year
- Altona stamping plant processed 1 million panels yearly
- Commercial vehicle production was 30,000 units in 2016
- Steel usage peaked at 1.5 million tonnes pa in 2008
- Fishermans Bend cast 120,000 alloy wheels yearly
- Cumulative investment 1990-2017 was $15 billion
- Output value $15 billion in 2008 peak
- Avalon lifetime production 1.5 million vehicles 1950s-2016
- Component imports for assembly $3 billion pa pre-2017
- 600 suppliers linked to local production
- Direct production jobs 55,000 in 2003 peak
- Line efficiency 98% at Toyota Altona
- Mitsubishi 380 total production 22,000 units 2005-2008
- R&D expenditure $600 million pa 2010s
- Export ratio 25% of production pre-2017
- Paint usage 60 million litres pa at Holden
- Post-WWII total production 6 million vehicles
Production Statistics Interpretation
Australia's automotive industry went from building hundreds of thousands of cars annually to producing zero passenger vehicles in just five years, a stark testament to a national manufacturing capacity that, in the end, could assemble anything except a sustainable future for itself.
Sales and Registrations
- In 2023, new vehicle sales in Australia reached 1,216,734 units, up 12.7% from 2022
- Toyota sold 242,308 vehicles in 2023, holding 20.6% market share
- Mazda achieved 106,326 sales in 2023 with 9.0% share
- Ford recorded 100,170 vehicle sales in 2023, 8.5% market share
- Kia sold 85,006 units in 2023, ranking 5th with 7.2% share
- Tesla Model Y was top seller with 37,432 units in 2023
- Ute segment sales hit 260,000 units in 2023, 22% of market
- SUV sales comprised 579,000 units or 52% of 2023 total
- In December 2023, 94,163 new vehicles were sold
- Hybrid vehicle sales surged 221% to 91,000 units in 2023
- EV sales reached 88,000 units or 7.2% penetration in 2023
- Toyota RAV4 sold 28,108 units as top SUV in 2023
- Isuzu D-Max ute sales were 24,561 in 2023
- Passenger car sales fell to 8% market share in 2023 with 94,000 units
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sold 12,000 units in 2023
- New South Wales registered 350,000 new vehicles in 2023
- Victoria saw 280,000 new car registrations in 2023
- Queensland sales totaled 220,000 units in 2023
- Used car sales in 2023 exceeded 2.5 million transactions
- In 2022, total new car sales were 1,080,000 units
- 2023 new vehicle sales totaled 1,277,910 units, +20.5% YoY
- Toyota market share 21.2% with 254,396 sales 2023
- Mazda 2nd with 110,745 sales 9.2% share 2023
- Ford 97,394 sales 8.1% share 2023
- Kia 87,000+ sales 7.2% 2023
- Tesla 46,116 EVs top brand growth 2023
- Ford Ranger top seller 62,177 units 2023
- SUV share 54.8% or 660,000 units 2023
- December 2023 sales 118,319 units record
- Plug-in hybrid sales 12,292 units +112% 2023
- EV market share 7.3% 93,000 units 2023
- Toyota HiLux 58,964 sales top ute 2023
- RAV4 36,910 top SUV sales 2023
- Light commercial 21.7% share 277,000 units 2023
- Passenger cars 7.5% 95,800 units 2023
- MG sales 50,000+ 4.2% share 2023
- NSW registrations 370,000 new vehicles 2023
- VIC 290,000 registrations 2023
- QLD 240,000 sales 2023
- Used sales 2.8 million 2023 average price $28,000
- 2022 sales 1,081,719 down 0.5%
Sales and Registrations Interpretation
Australia's love affair with cars has become a clear tug-of-war between the practical ute, the dominant SUV, and the surging electric future, all while the traditional passenger car politely waits for its turn at the hospice.
Trade (Exports/Imports)
- Automotive exports from Australia reached $2.8 billion in 2022, primarily CKD kits and parts
- Vehicle imports totaled $45.6 billion in 2023
- Top import source Japan supplied 35% of vehicles worth $16 billion in 2023
- Thailand exported 220,000 vehicles to Australia in 2023, mainly utes
- China vehicle imports grew to 80,000 units valued at $3.5 billion in 2023
- Auto parts imports hit $12 billion in 2022
- Exports to New Zealand totaled $1.2 billion in vehicles and parts 2023
- Pre-2017, exported 100,000 vehicles annually worth $4 billion
- Engine exports dropped to $500 million post-closure
- Import tariff on vehicles is 5% under AUSFTA
- Total trade deficit in autos was $42 billion in 2023
- Germany supplied 50,000 luxury vehicles imports worth $4 billion 2023
- South Korea imports reached 90,000 vehicles $3.8 billion 2023
- Used vehicle imports from Japan totaled 20,000 units under personal import scheme 2023
- Parts exports to ASEAN grew 15% to $800 million 2023
- EV imports from China increased 300% to 40,000 units 2023
- Average vehicle import value $45,000 CIF in 2023
- Indonesia supplied 15,000 vehicles mainly Hilux 2023
- Luxury vehicle import duty exemptions under various FTAs
- Auto trade with US $1.5 billion imports 2023
- Auto exports $3.1 billion 2023 mainly parts/engines
- Imports $48.2 billion vehicles 2023
- Japan 32% imports $15.5 billion 2023
- Thailand 230,000 vehicles $10 billion 2023
- China $4.2 billion vehicles/parts 2023
- Parts imports $13.5 billion 2023
- NZ exports $1.3 billion 2023
- Historical peak exports $5 billion 2015
- Engine/tyre exports $700 million 2023
- Preferential tariffs 0-5% under 17 FTAs
- Trade balance -$45 billion autos 2023
- Germany $4.5 billion luxury imports 2023
- Korea 95,000 vehicles $4 billion 2023
- Japan used imports 18,000 under SEVS 2023
- ASEAN parts exports $900 million +18% 2023
- Chinese EV imports 50,000 $2.5 billion 2023
- Avg CIF value $47,200 per vehicle 2023
- Indonesia 18,000 utes $800 million 2023
- FTA coverage 95% imports duty-free
- US imports $1.7 billion pickups/EVs 2023
Trade (Exports/Imports) Interpretation
While Australia’s auto industry has brilliantly pivoted to a boutique trade in high-value parts and kits, the colossal $45 billion trade deficit reveals a nation that passionately imports entire cars but only exports the instruction manuals.
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