The main Australian car manufacturers were Holden, Ford Australia and Toyota Australia, and all three stopped building cars locally by October 2017. Holden launched the first mass-produced Australian car in 1948, Ford built the Falcon from 1960, and Toyota assembled the Camry at Altona. This guide covers each maker, the cars they are known for, and how Australian-built models reached North America.
Australian car manufacturers at a glance
| Maker | Known for | Local production ended |
|---|---|---|
| Holden | 48-215 (1948), Monaro, Commodore, ute | 20 October 2017 (brand retired 2020) |
| Ford Australia | Falcon, Falcon GT, Territory | October 2016 |
| Toyota Australia | Camry, assembled at Altona | 3 October 2017 |
| Chrysler Australia | Valiant | Left the market in 1981 |
| Nissan | Local assembly from 1966 | Assembly lines closed in 1992 |
| Mitsubishi | Tonsley plant | March 2008 |
Dates come from the Wikipedia overview of the Australian automotive industry and company histories, so check an official source before quoting them.
Holden: the local favourite
General Motors took over Holden in 1931. The Holden 48-215, launched in 1948, was the first mass-produced Australian-designed car, and a ute (coupe utility) followed in 1951.
The Monaro and later the Commodore became the brand’s performance and family cars. Local production ended at the Elizabeth plant in October 2017, and GM retired the Holden brand in 2020.
Ford Australia: Falcon and the muscle-car era
Ford Australia was set up in Geelong in 1925, and its first locally built car was a Model T that June. The Falcon arrived in 1960 and became the main rival to Holden in the muscle-car era.
Ford closed its Australian car plants in October 2016. Design and engineering work stayed on in a smaller form.
Toyota Australia and the Camry
Toyota began assembly in Australia in 1963 through Australian Motor Industries and took control of that company in 1968. The Altona plant closed on 3 October 2017, which ended Toyota’s local manufacturing.
Why Australia’s car industry ended
Production peaked at roughly 475,000 vehicles in 1970. After that, falling import tariffs, a small domestic market and a strong Australian dollar made local plants less competitive.
For the full timeline and closure story, see our car production in Australia guide.
Australian-built cars sold in North America
Several Holden models were sold here under GM badges. The Pontiac GTO (2004 to 2006) was a Holden Monaro, the Pontiac G8 (2008 to 2009) was based on the Holden Commodore, and the Chevrolet SS (2014 to 2017) was built at Elizabeth.
All three are now used-car finds, so check the condition and service history carefully. For earlier decades, see our guides to 1970s cars and 1980s cars.
What remains of Australian vehicle making
Mass car production has gone, but some heavy-vehicle and specialist work continues. Examples include Kenworth trucks and Tomcar off-road vehicles. Mitsubishi and others remain in the market as importers.
Frequently asked questions
Are cars still made in Australia?
Not at scale. Ford ended local production in October 2016, and Toyota and Holden followed in October 2017. Small makers and heavy-vehicle builders still operate.
When did Holden stop making cars?
Holden ended local production on 20 October 2017 at its Elizabeth plant. General Motors retired the Holden brand in 2020.
What was the first mass-produced Australian car?
The Holden 48-215, launched in 1948, is usually named as the first mass-produced Australian-designed car.
Which Australian-built cars were sold in North America?
Holden designs were badged as the Pontiac GTO (2004 to 2006), the Pontiac G8 (2008 to 2009) and the Chevrolet SS (2014 to 2017).
Why did Australian car manufacturing end?
A small home market, falling import tariffs, a strong Australian dollar and growing imports made local plants hard to sustain. The three remaining makers each announced closures between 2013 and 2014.
How many cars did Australia build at its peak?
Reference data shows about 475,000 vehicles in 1970, which put Australia among the world’s top ten producers at the time.
[…] more on the same story, read our Australian car production overview. For a decade-by-decade look at the cars of the era, see 1970s […]