Buy Australian Made Cars... But what cars are there?

[Thowden]

Ok, so election debates aside. What cars are actually built in this country?

What do I buy to support Aussie workers and keep the factories running?

From what I can see the model ranges are mostly imported no matter what brand you look at, and none of them promote the models as 'Made in Australia'.

So someone help me out, what can I buy that is manufactured in this country?

Sadly, the Econetic Fiesta passed away at the weekend, and we need to buy another car.

[Giant Cranium]

falcon, terry, commodore, cruze, camry, aurion

[Thowden]

Thanks. Is there any others?

[Raptor]

Nope that's it.

+ ute versions of the Falcon & Commodore and the Commo Sportswagon.

[Rob 351]

Caprice.

[Magna]

Elfin www.elfin.com.au



Devaux http://www.devauxcars.com/



Bufori used to be made here but they are now made in Malaysia

http://bufori.com/

[babyf6]

http://www.bolwellcarcompany.com/

[pajoda]

Can't help thinking the OP was referring to mainstream, but all feedback is always welcome. Some cool looking cars there!

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by pajoda

Some cool looking cars there!

imo, all hideous (ones posted by Magna). Nothing i'd put my hard earned cash down on. Then again, they are very niche products.

[malazn mafia]

Are there trucks, buses and armoured vehicles manufactured in Australia?

[Ducati888]

Kenworth trucks are made here.

You also need to consider whether a vehicle is 'made' here, or whether it's just assembled here from imported components. Of course even assembly of a CKD employs local people so that's better than fully imported ready to go.

All cars that are assembled here have varying levels of imported vs locally produced componentry.

I think the highest level of Australian made componentry in any car made here is Falcon. The least would be Cruze.

Terry varies depending on whether you have a diesel or petrol model, as does Commodore depending on V8 or V6.

Not sure whether Toyota casts its engines here or not.

[ebv8]

how did the 2010 fiesta die?

[2011G6E]

That's the trick...people seem to think that "without Falcon dealerships will die"...no they won't. One slow-selling model will go out of a very large lineup of far more popular models, that's all.

That Devaux is just sex on wheels, isn't it?

[blackf6]

Leyland p76 man. Go grab one.

[Raptor]

Well if you have REALLY deep pockets these NSW Coachbuilders are keen to build this for someone.

See http://woodsandwoods.com.au/



But I don't think that's what the OP was after either.

[Magna]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Are there trucks, buses and armoured vehicles manufactured in Australia?

sadly they stopped making the OKA

http://www.oka4wd.com/

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Are there trucks, buses and armoured vehicles manufactured in Australia?

Bushmaster ..

[Thowden]

Hi All

Thanks for all the responses.

No, I was not looking for exotics. I need to get a new daily driver for the missus.

And Yes, I'd still include 'assembled' as well as 'manufactured'. I figure that a sales dealership will still exist regardless of the source of the vehicles, so fully imported still gives some employment, while 'assembled' gives more employment, and obviously, 'manufactured' will give the most support to our car industry.

Given that the vehicles named so far are falling into very similar categories (ignoring the exotics):
- Falcon, Commodore, Territory - large
- Camry, Aurion - mid-sized
- Cruze - Small (I have driven some of these as hire cars - hated them)

Which leaves me thinking that there is nothing made here that suits what we want, which is why we were in a fully imported Fiesta in the first place, but the Econetic are no longer imported. (Unless I import one myself.... hmmm... anyone got a container coming in ? It would not take up much space!)

Fiesta Econetic: 800Kms to the (small) tank on diesel with great city driving. Longer runs are not that comfortable but ok. But there is no equivalent made (or assembled from the looks of it) here.

Side note: The Fiesta passed away after our son rear-ended one of his friends while in a country convoy. Still waiting for the assessor but all reports are that it will be a write-off.

[PridenJoy]

Buy a an ECOLPI or Ecoboost falcons, very economical but the space convenience and power of a falcon.

[K_Man]

Im sitting here thinking 'surely the list must be longer than that', but I think I am getting confused with 20 years ago.....sad times indeed.

[Bossxr8]

A Fiesta with a 3 cylinder Ecoboost engine only uses a fraction more fuel than the Econetic did, and it's the reason a diesel is no longer offered in Fiesta.

[prydey]

firstly, i was a bit surprised (although not totally) that there are people that don't actually know what car manufacturers produce cars in australia,

and secondly

Originally Posted by Thowden

Given that the vehicles named so far are falling into very similar categories (ignoring the exotics):
- Falcon, Commodore, Territory - large
- Camry, Aurion - mid-sized

do people really see the aurion as a mid size car?? the camry is classed as a mid size which really is a joke, but the aurion?? it is a large car. the camry should also be a large as its basically the same car except with a 4cyl. its like saying the ecoboost falcon is a mid size car. sorry, just can't believe people actually see it that way, rather than see it for how it looks in real life, ie, a large car.


also, i realise large cars aren't for everyone, but you shouldn't discount them too readily. bear in mind, that had your son had his rear end bingle in a falcon, there is a good chance it wouldn't be a write off, and probably relatively cheap to fix. larger cars are safer, simply because they are bigger and heavier. star ratings are only comparable across the same category. size and mass still wins.
large cars like the ecoboost and ecolpi falcon can also be incredibly cheap to run. obviously you do some longer runs and country driving and to compare a fiesta to a falcon in this context would be a no contest for me. incredibly comfy on long drives.

thats my rant. i love the small fords. my wife has a focus, but i see so many people not even consider a larger car without even sampling the modern day versions.

[janddbone]

Falcon is becoming mid sized considering how huge midsize cars are now. The new Mazda 6 is gigantic!

[Ducati888]

So how come the Camry is mid size and Aurion a large car (same car, different engine), yet the ecoboost Falcon and the I6 Falcon are both large?

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by babyf6

http://www.bolwellcarcompany.com/

I was going to say Bolwell. The Nagari is a fabulous looking thing.

[uniacidz]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

So how come the Camry is mid size and Aurion a large car (same car, different engine), yet the ecoboost Falcon and the I6 Falcon are both large?

As far as i know, and as per WIKI, they both mid sized.
But, i dunno, some say large for aurion, some say mid. I say large for both.

Originally Posted by K_Man

Im sitting here thinking 'surely the list must be longer than that', but I think I am getting confused with 20 years ago.....sad times indeed.

Saw this, is interesting
Doesnt have the current crop, but interesting nonetheless
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cars_of_Australia

[K_Man]

Amazing how many models in total were built here. 25 years ago you would have had Falcon/Fairlane/ute, Laser, commodore/lexcen, magna, skyline, pulsar/astra, camry/apollo, corolla/nova, pintara/corsair.....

Been drawing some parrallels here with MMAL....they lost the wagon when 380 started being made, and their lwb 380 was canned before it made production....closed up tonsley park to become an importer. But now I am moving off topic....

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

Kenworth trucks are made here.

You also need to consider whether a vehicle is 'made' here, or whether it's just assembled here from imported components. Of course even assembly of a CKD employs local people so that's better than fully imported ready to go.

All cars that are assembled here have varying levels of imported vs locally produced componentry.

I think the highest level of Australian made componentry in any car made here is Falcon. The least would be Cruze.

Terry varies depending on whether you have a diesel or petrol model, as does Commodore depending on V8 or V6.

Not sure whether Toyota casts its engines here or not.

Iveco make the ACCO truck a truly Australian truck and assemble Italian Ivecos.
Macks and Volcos are built in Brisbane guess that's really just assembly.

But Kenworth and the ACCO re truly Australian.

[K_Man]

ACCO is a great truck, but jeez you can tell how long ago it was initially designed....wanted to put an International badge on my old acco at work, doesnt look right with iveco on the front.