WhichCar

wheels

  1. Home/
  2. Wheels/
  3. Features/
  4. 69 Years of Australian Manufacturing

69 Years of Australian Manufacturing

aussie car manufacturing
Features

1988-92: Australian automotive manufacturing hits hard times

Australia’s car industry struggled in the wake of the Button Plan, with Nissan the first of the Big Five to fall

1983-87: The beginning of the end
Features

1983-87: The beginning of the end

The end of the protectionism that propped up the Australian car industry was in sight as Ford enjoyed life at the top

1978-82 Football meat pies kangaroos and Aussie cars
Features

1978-82: Football, meat pies, kangaroos, and Aussie cars

The Holden Commodore arrives as the nation struggles to set the framework for the car industry

1973-77: Paving the way for change
Features

1973-77: Paving the way for change

Australia struggles with an economic slump that also hits new-car sales hard

1968-1972: Boom of the big bangers
Features

1968-1972: Boom of the big bangers

Seatbelts arrive, Ford outsells Holden, a switch to the left proves too expensive, and Australia’s seven local car makers face an uncertain future

aussie manufacturing MAIN
Features

1963-67: The push for Australian-made

Holden pegs a production record for its most Aussie car yet, while the government encourages others to build vehicles here

1958-62: The Falcon flies
Features

1958-62: The Falcon flies

Holden builds momentum as Ford launches its version of Australia’s own car

1953-57: Evolution of an industry
Features

1953-57: Evolution of an industry

In the second of our series, Holden grows from strength to strength as Australia’s appetite for new cars booms

1948-52: Australia’s post-war car industry is born
Features

1948-52: Australia’s post-war car industry is born

In the first of our series, we look back at the birth of the Australian carmaking industry