Australia hasn't built a single new car since 2017, but its auto industry is far from dead, as shown by the surge in electric vehicle components production, a resilient $25 billion aftermarket sector, and nearly 250,000 people still employed across the country's dealerships, repair shops, and evolving manufacturing hubs.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Australia produced 0 passenger vehicles domestically as local manufacturing ceased in 2017, relying entirely on imports.
- Total motor vehicle manufacturing turnover in Australia fell to $1.2 billion in 2021-22 from $3.4 billion in 2016-17.
- Automotive component manufacturing output reached $4.5 billion in 2022, down 15% from pre-closure levels.
- Automotive industry employed 248,000 people directly and indirectly in 2022.
- Manufacturing sector jobs in automotive fell to 35,000 in 2022 from 50,000 in 2016.
- Dealership employment totaled 62,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- New car sales reached 1,097,954 units in 2023, up 12.1% from 2022.
- Toyota held 22.5% market share in passenger vehicle sales in 2023.
- Light commercial vehicle sales hit 530,000 units in 2023.
- Vehicle exports from Australia totaled 4,200 units in 2022, mainly niche vehicles.
- Automotive imports value reached $52.3 billion in 2022-23.
- Top import source: Thailand with 28% of passenger vehicles in 2023.
- Industry contributed $67 billion to GDP in 2022.
- Total aftermarket spend: $25 billion annually in 2023.
- R&D investment in automotive: $1.2 billion in 2022.
Australia’s auto industry now depends entirely on imports after domestic car manufacturing ended.
Economic and Financial Metrics
1Industry contributed $67 billion to GDP in 2022.
Verified2Total aftermarket spend: $25 billion annually in 2023.
Verified3R&D investment in automotive: $1.2 billion in 2022.
Verified4Dealership revenue: $110 billion in 2023.
Directional5Tax revenue from auto industry: $15.4 billion in 2022.
Single source6Investment in EV infrastructure: $500 million in 2023.
Verified7Fuel excise from road transport: $18 billion in 2022-23.
Verified8Insurance premiums for vehicles: $12.8 billion in 2023.
Verified9Total industry value-add: $32 billion in 2022.
Directional10Finance and insurance for auto: $9.5 billion revenue.
Single source11EV subsidy program cost: $400 million in 2023.
Verified12Road user charges revenue: $22 billion in 2022-23.
Verified13Parts retail turnover: $15.2 billion in 2023.
Verified14Capital expenditure in auto sector: $2.8 billion in 2022.
Directional15Consumer spending on vehicles: $75 billion in 2023.
Single sourceEconomic and Financial Metrics Interpretation
While the Australian auto industry proudly drives a $110 billion dealership parade, its true economic engine is a complex, multi-billion dollar ecosystem of R&D, repairs, fuel, finance, and even future-facing EV investments, all humming along on a road paved with substantial tax revenue.
Employment Statistics
1Automotive industry employed 248,000 people directly and indirectly in 2022.
Verified2Manufacturing sector jobs in automotive fell to 35,000 in 2022 from 50,000 in 2016.
Verified3Dealership employment totaled 62,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
Verified4Aftermarket sector employed 120,000 workers in 2022.
Directional5Average wage in automotive manufacturing was $92,000 annually in 2022.
Single source6Female participation in automotive workforce was 28% in 2023.
Verified7Apprenticeships in automotive trades numbered 12,500 in 2022.
Verified8Logistics and transport jobs linked to auto industry: 45,000 in 2022.
Verified9Job losses post-2017 closures totaled 28,000 direct manufacturing roles.
Directional10EV assembly training programs enrolled 3,200 workers in 2023.
Single source11Total automotive apprentices in training: 14,200 in 2023.
Verified12Mechanic jobs vacancy rate: 4.2% in 2023.
Verified13Regional employment in auto: 35% of total workforce in 2022.
Verified14Diversity training programs reached 5,000 workers in 2023.
Directional15Panel beater employment: 18,500 in 2022.
Single source16Upskilling for EV: 10,000 certifications issued in 2023.
Verified17Dealership admin roles: 22% female in 2023.
Verified18Sales jobs in auto: 28,000 positions in 2023.
VerifiedEmployment Statistics Interpretation
Australia's automotive heart still beats strongly with 248,000 people, but its pulse has shifted from a shrinking manufacturing core to a vast aftermarket, dealership, and logistics network where high wages, regional jobs, and a slow but steady charge toward EVs and diversity are trying to outpace the ghosts of 28,000 lost factory roles.
Exports and Imports
1Vehicle exports from Australia totaled 4,200 units in 2022, mainly niche vehicles.
Verified2Automotive imports value reached $52.3 billion in 2022-23.
Verified3Top import source: Thailand with 28% of passenger vehicles in 2023.
Verified4Japan supplied 25% of imported vehicles worth $13 billion in 2023.
Directional5Automotive parts imports: $12.5 billion in 2022.
Single source6Exports of automotive components: $1.8 billion in 2023.
Verified7China became top EV import source with 15,000 units in 2023.
Verified8Used vehicle imports: 45,000 units in 2022.
Verified9Trade deficit in motor vehicles: $48 billion in 2022-23.
Directional10Exports to New Zealand: 2,100 vehicles in 2023.
Single source11Imports from Germany: 42,000 vehicles in 2023.
Verified12Parts exports to US: $450 million in 2023.
Verified13Import tariff on vehicles: 5% for most, 0% under FTAs.
Verified14Korea vehicle imports: 110,000 units in 2023.
Directional15Luxury import approvals: 8,200 under SEVS in 2023.
Single source16Component imports from Asia: 65% of total in 2022.
Verified17Exports of caravans and trailers: $1.1 billion in 2023.
VerifiedExports and Imports Interpretation
Australia sent out a trickle of niche vehicles while welcoming a flood of cars and parts, painting a stark portrait of a nation that loves to drive but has largely stopped building what it drives.
Production Statistics
1In 2022, Australia produced 0 passenger vehicles domestically as local manufacturing ceased in 2017, relying entirely on imports.
Verified2Total motor vehicle manufacturing turnover in Australia fell to $1.2 billion in 2021-22 from $3.4 billion in 2016-17.
Verified3Automotive component manufacturing output reached $4.5 billion in 2022, down 15% from pre-closure levels.
Verified4Number of motor vehicle manufacturing establishments dropped to 128 in 2022 from 250 in 2015.
Directional5Engine manufacturing in Australia produced 12,000 units in 2022, primarily for niche markets.
Single source6Body and trailer manufacturing turnover was $2.8 billion in 2021-22.
Verified7Automotive repair and maintenance services generated $18.7 billion in revenue in 2022.
Verified8Local content in Australian new vehicles averaged 25% in 2022, mainly from aftermarket parts.
Verified9Production of electric vehicle components reached 5,000 units in 2023, up 200% YoY.
Directional10Trailer manufacturing employment supported 15,200 jobs in 2022.
Single source11In 2021-22, motor vehicle bodies manufacturing turnover was $1.9 billion.
Verified12Automotive wiring harness production: 1.2 million units in 2022.
Verified13Local stamping and pressing for auto parts: $800 million turnover.
Verified14Number of automotive R&D facilities: 45 in 2023.
Directional15Production of 4WD components surged 18% to $450 million in 2023.
Single source16Aftermarket parts manufacturing: 300 firms employing 8,000.
VerifiedProduction Statistics Interpretation
Australia's car industry has neatly pivoted from building entire cars to frantically keeping the imported ones on the road, assembling niche parts, and desperately trying to bolt itself onto the electric future.
Sales and Vehicle Registrations
1New car sales reached 1,097,954 units in 2023, up 12.1% from 2022.
Verified2Toyota held 22.5% market share in passenger vehicle sales in 2023.
Verified3Light commercial vehicle sales hit 530,000 units in 2023.
Verified4Electric vehicle sales grew to 88,000 units in 2023, 8% of total market.
Directional5Used vehicle sales totaled 2.4 million in 2022.
Single source6SUV segment captured 59% of new car sales in 2023.
Verified7New registrations in NSW: 320,000 vehicles in 2023.
Verified8Average new car price rose to $48,200 in 2023.
Verified9Hybrid vehicle sales: 82,000 units in 2023.
Directional10Fleet sales accounted for 42% of total new vehicle sales in 2023.
Single source11Pickup truck sales: 182,000 units in 2023.
Verified12Private buyer sales: 55% of new vehicles in 2023.
Verified13Diesel vehicle registrations: 220,000 in 2023.
Verified14Luxury car sales over $100k: 25,000 units in 2023.
Directional15VIC new registrations: 280,000 vehicles in 2023.
Single source16PHEV sales: 6,500 units in 2023.
Verified17Online vehicle sales: 15% of total in 2023.
Verified18Mazda market share: 9.8% in 2023.
VerifiedSales and Vehicle Registrations Interpretation
Australians spent a minor fortune last year buying 1.1 million new cars—most of them high-riding SUVs and profit-spinning work utes—and while the electric revolution is whispering sweet nothings at 8% of the market, the nation's true love affair clearly remains with Toyota and the traditional combustion engine.
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