what cars are made in australia

[LeAmy]

As of late 2017, no mass-production cars are manufactured in Australia. The local automotive assembly industry closed its doors after Holden, Toyota, and Ford shut down their local manufacturing operations. The last cars to roll off Australian production lines were the Holden Commodore, the Toyota Camry, and the Ford Falcon.

The closure was the result of a combination of factors, including the high Australian dollar, high production costs, and a relatively small domestic market that made it difficult to compete with global manufacturing giants. While you can no longer buy a new Australian-made car, the legacy of these vehicles, particularly the iconic Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, remains strong in the used car market and enthusiast communities.

The following table outlines the key models that were made in Australia before the industry's closure:

Manufacturer	Model	Production Period	Key Characteristics
Holden	Commodore	1978-2017	Rear-wheel drive, large sedan, iconic V8 engine options.
Ford Australia	Falcon	1960-2016	Rear-wheel drive, rival to the Commodore, offered inline-six and V8 engines.
Toyota Australia	Camry	1993-2017	Mid-size, front-wheel drive sedan; also exported to the Middle East.
Holden	Cruze	2009-2016	A smaller, front-wheel drive car produced alongside the Commodore.
Mitsubishi Australia	380 / Magna	1980-2008	Mid-size, front-wheel drive sedans; operations ceased before the others.

Today, the "Big Three" still have a major presence in Australia, but they now focus on importing vehicles and managing their dealer networks. The term "Australian-made car" now primarily refers to the proud history of these local icons rather than current production.

[VonIvan]

It’s a real shame, but they stopped making cars here a few years back. The last Holdens and Falcons are it. My dad had a Commodore for years—tough as nails. Now, if you want a new car, it's all imported from Japan, Thailand, or Germany. The factories are gone, but you'll still see plenty of those old Aussie sedans on the road, especially out in the country. They built them to last.

[StBlakely]

From a purely factual standpoint, Australian car manufacturing ceased in 2017. The final vehicles produced were the Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry. The market dynamics, including high labor costs and a preference for imported SUVs and trucks, made local production unviable. Currently, any new car purchased in Australia is imported. The focus has shifted entirely to sales, distribution, and the thriving used car market for classic Australian models.

[LucyLee]

The heart of the Aussie car industry was the Holden vs. Ford rivalry. It wasn't just about cars; it was part of our culture, especially around the Bathurst 1000 race. While the new car showrooms are full of imports now, the spirit lives on. Enthusiast clubs for Commodores and Falcons are huge. So, if you're asking what cars are truly Australian, you look to that legacy of powerful, rear-wheel drive sedans that were built for our wide-open roads.

[Destiny]

The landscape changed completely after 2017. The government support faded, global competition intensified, and consumer tastes shifted away from the large sedans we were famous for. It was an economic decision. Today, the conversation is about which imported vehicles best suit Australian conditions, like diesel SUVs and dual-cab utes. The expertise from the manufacturing era is now applied to engineering, design studios, and an advanced automotive component sector that supplies global brands.