Longest serving automotive manufacturer in Australia

[barra240t]

Hi all,

I was thinking, since Holden's departure, is Ford Australia the longest serving automotive manufacturer in the country? Never really thought about it.

Ford- 1925
VW- 1957
Toyota- 1958
Chrysler/Mitsubishi- 1963/1980
Volvo- 1963
Mazda- 1963
Nissan- 1966
Subaru- 1973- I think
Hyundai- 1986- I think
Kia- 1992- I think

Holden- 1856- RIP

Just chose some of the major players still, we all know the Chinese, Tesla etc are new comers.

[fordomatic]

Kenworth 1971

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Hi all,

I was thinking, since Holden's departure, is Ford Australia the longest serving automotive manufacturer in the country? Never really thought about it.

Ford- 1925
VW- 1957
Toyota- 1958
Chrysler/Mitsubishi- 1963/1980
Volvo- 1963
Mazda- 1963
Nissan- 1966
Subaru- 1973- I think
Hyundai- 1986- I think
Kia- 1992- I think

Holden- 1856- RIP

Just chose some of the major players still, we all know the Chinese, Tesla etc are new comers.

I think you are confusing those who actually manufactured here as opposed just selling cars here.

Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai & Kia never manufactured here. Holden didn't make cars before 1917, before that it was saddles & horse buggies etc.

Toyota didn't build here until the late 60s, Nissan around 1970 & Volvo the mid-70s.

Chrysler built cars here way before '63, it was more like 1949. Before that Chryslers (& associated brands) were built here by TJ Richards.

I think Holden & then Chrysler would be the longest serving manufacturers here.

If you count brands just selling on the retail market that's different.

Strangely enough I believe the longest (continuously) seller or retailer of cars in Australia is Citroen. Apart from the war years, when hardly any cars were made or sold, I believe that Citroen has been here since 1918 or even earlier). Citroens were actually built here in the early 60s, but only for a few years. Peugeot & Renault were also built here during the 60s & 70s.

Ford wouldn't be far behind, although their pre-1925 history is quite patchy.

Dr Terry

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I think you are confusing those who actually manufactured here as opposed just selling cars here.

Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai & Kia never manufactured here. Holden didn't make cars before 1917, before that it was saddles & horse buggies etc.

Toyota didn't build here until the late 60s, Nissan around 1970 & Volvo the mid-70s.

Chrysler built cars here way before '63, it was more like 1949. Before that Chryslers (& associated brands) were built here by TJ Richards.

I think Holden & then Chrysler would be the longest serving manufacturers here.

If you count brands just selling on the retail market that's different.

Strangely enough I believe the longest (continuously) seller or retailer of cars in Australia is Citroen. Apart from the war years, when hardly any cars were made or sold, I believe that Citroen has been here since 1918 or even earlier). Citroens were actually built here in the early 60s, but only for a few years. Peugeot & Renault were also built here during the 60s & 70s.

Ford wouldn't be far behind, although their pre-1925 history is quite patchy.

Dr Terry

First model T's were assembled and sold here in 1908. Couldn't tell you by whom though. They were bought in here as kits and assembled by local car dealers.

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I think you are confusing those who actually manufactured here as opposed just selling cars here.

Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai & Kia never manufactured here. Holden didn't make cars before 1917, before that it was saddles & horse buggies etc.

Toyota didn't build here until the late 60s, Nissan around 1970 & Volvo the mid-70s.

Chrysler built cars here way before '63, it was more like 1949. Before that Chryslers (& associated brands) were built here by TJ Richards.

I think Holden & then Chrysler would be the longest serving manufacturers here.

If you count brands just selling on the retail market that's different.

Strangely enough I believe the longest (continuously) seller or retailer of cars in Australia is Citroen. Apart from the war years, when hardly any cars were made or sold, I believe that Citroen has been here since 1918 or even earlier). Citroens were actually built here in the early 60s, but only for a few years. Peugeot & Renault were also built here during the 60s & 70s.

Ford wouldn't be far behind, although their pre-1925 history is quite patchy.

Dr Terry

Not confusing who built here, I mean who sold here, so as a full blown retailer.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Not confusing who built here, I mean who sold here, so as a full blown retailer.

That's why I answered it the way I did. Read the 2nd last paragraph.

I think when you say "longest serving", the word "continuously" should be added, a few marques have come & gone & come again, over the years, like Renault, Peugeot, VW & Chrysler for example.

Dr Terry

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Kenworth 1971

Mack Trucks have been Assembled/Manufactured here since 1963.

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Not confusing who built here, I mean who sold here, so as a full blown retailer.

Not to mention what % was made and built in Australia !

I think the last Falcon and Commodore was around the 50% to 60% Australian made mark.

And the Toyota Aurion was more Australian content and built more cars, with also Export market. I believe seeing somewhere.

XC Falcons and ZH 4.9L Fairlane may of been the last highest Aus % 5.8L got imported FMX auto.
WB Holden's and with the Trimatic Statesman.

I think the XR Falcon 6 cyl that had the first most Australian content %.

[XR Martin]

4cyl camry had higher Australian content (engine built here) than the Aurion.
I think the Falcon was still ahead in percentage.
Commodore was less than both.

[Dr Terry]

Highest Aust content % was in the late 60s/early 70s.

IIRC an an HG Kingswood 6-cyl was around 99.5%. The only imported parts were the inhibitor switch & ignition switch. Even the car radios were made in Aust. back then.

Dr Terry

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Not confusing who built here, I mean who sold here, so as a full blown retailer.

So the thread title "Longest serving automotive manufacturer in Australia"
is much like every other Thread Title in social media?

[Vesper Martini]

Interesting link, our first Fords were from Canada??

https://historicvehicles.com.au/hist...V8%20in%201932.

by 1909 a Ford sales team arrived Australia and imports from Canada soon followed. The Canadian-produced Model T cars took advantage of favourable Commonwealth Nation import duties, rather than higher duties on US-made goods.
Australian ‘Tin Lizzies’ arrived in knocked-down condition and were fitted out according to customer need. Although early Model Ts were available in several colours, black became the standard

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Interesting link, our first Fords were from Canada??

https://historicvehicles.com.au/hist...V8%20in%201932.

by 1909 a Ford sales team arrived Australia and imports from Canada soon followed. The Canadian-produced Model T cars took advantage of favourable Commonwealth Nation import duties, rather than higher duties on US-made goods.
Australian ‘Tin Lizzies’ arrived in knocked-down condition and were fitted out according to customer need. Although early Model Ts were available in several colours, black became the standard

Ford Australia was basically a division of Ford Canada. They were tasked with setting it up and the local management reported to them. As the article says, it was due to being a fellow commonwealth nation which made it easier for trade reasons.

[XR Martin]

Don't forget that the roofs of Ford Geelong were built to Ford Canada's specification. Which meant they had to be able to hold 3ft of snow

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Don't forget that the roofs of Ford Geelong were built to Ford Canada's specification. Which meant they had to be able to hold 3ft of snow

That was a global standard, not a canadian one.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

That was a global standard, not a canadian one.

Yep..I think Henry Ford was "careful with his money" aka "tightass" so factory plans were the same around the world and based off Dearborn (?)

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Yep..I think Henry Ford was "careful with his money" aka "tightass" so factory plans were the same around the world and based off Dearborn (?)

Probably. The identical outside facades were probably a corporate image thing though.