Leslie Massey
Toyota has a long history in Australia, dating back to the 1960s when it was the company's largest export market. In 1963, Toyota began assembling cars in Australia, later moving into full manufacturing. However, in 2017, Toyota ended its manufacturing operations in the country, concluding over five decades of production. Despite this, Toyota remains a prominent brand in Australia, with a range of vehicles such as the Fortuner, Prado, FJ Cruiser, Kluger, Camry, and Aurion catering to various consumer needs. With a strong presence in the Australian market, Toyota continues to be a significant player in the country's automotive industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toyota manufacturing in Australia | Ended in 2017 |
| Number of years Toyota manufactured in Australia | 54 years |
| First Toyota car manufactured in Australia | Tiara in 1963 |
| Location of first manufacturing | Port Melbourne |
| Other cars manufactured in Australia | Crown, Corona, Corolla, Camry, LandCruiser |
| Highest production year | 148,931 (2007) |
| Highest production month | 15,355 (October 2007) |
| Biggest export market | Middle East (1,245,914 cars) |
| Total Australian-built cars exported | 2,535,963 |
| Total number of Toyota vehicles bought by Australians | 6.5 million |
| Models in the Fortuner range | GX, GXL, Crusade |
| Models in the Prado range | GX, GXL, VX |
| Models in the Kluger range | GX, GXL, Kluger Grande |
| Models in the Camry range | Altise, RZ Special edition, Atara S, Atara SX, Atara SL |
| Models in the Aurion range | AT-X, Sportivo, Presara |
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What You'll Learn
- Toyota closed its Australian manufacturing operations in 2017
- Toyota has a product centre in Australia, housed in the former powertrain manufacturing building
- The company first started manufacturing cars in Australia in 1963
- The highest number of cars produced in a year was 148,931 in 2007
- Australians have bought over 6.5 million Toyota vehicles
Toyota closed its Australian manufacturing operations in 2017
Toyota ended more than half a century of manufacturing vehicles in Australia in 2017. The company's history in the country dates back to the 1960s when Australia was Toyota's largest export market, with popular models such as the LandCruiser. In 1963, Toyota began assembling cars in Australia, later moving into full manufacture.
The first Toyota cars produced in Australia included the Tiara, Crown, Corona, and Corolla. In 1979, Australia became the first country outside Japan to build Toyota engines. Altona-built engines were used in Camrys for the local market and exported to Thailand and Malaysia. Over the years, Toyota Australia produced a total of 2,535,963 locally built engines and sold more than 6.5 million vehicles in the country.
Toyota's decision to end manufacturing operations in Australia impacted approximately 3,000 employees. The company's president, Dave Buttner, paid tribute to the dedication of employees, ensuring that they had built Toyota into Australia's leading car company. He also assured departing employees that the company would provide support beyond the closure.
Following the closure, Toyota Australia launched an internal 'DRIVE' employee transition program to help over 2,200 employees prepare for their future beyond the closure. Despite ending manufacturing operations, Toyota remains committed to giving back to the Australian community and has continued to invest in the country.
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Toyota has a product centre in Australia, housed in the former powertrain manufacturing building
In 2017, Toyota ended more than 50 years of manufacturing vehicles in Australia. The company's history in the country goes back to the 1960s when Australia was Toyota's largest export market, with prominent nameplates including LandCruiser. In 1963, Toyota assembled cars in Australia, later moving into full manufacture.
The product centre is housed inside the former powertrain manufacturing building, which produced 2.5 million engines from 1978 to 2017. Toyota Motor Company global president Akio Toyoda wanted to leave a legacy at the Altona manufacturing site, and the company spent about A$40 million on constructing the centre, forming part of the $150 million overall investment in the CoE.
The product centre teams can make use of the 1.4-km-long autodrome test track. The 55,000 sq m parts centre houses 1.5 million parts and can deliver 26,000 parts daily to dealerships. The CoE now houses more than half of Toyota's local workforce.
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The company first started manufacturing cars in Australia in 1963
Toyota first started manufacturing cars in Australia in 1963, making it the first country outside Japan to produce Toyota cars. The first car they manufactured in Australia was the Tiara, which was produced at a factory in Port Melbourne, now the site of the company's corporate headquarters. Over the years, Toyota Australia went on to produce other famous car names such as the Crown, Corona, Corolla, LandCruiser, Camry, and Apollo. In 1979, Australia also became the first country outside Japan to build Toyota engines.
Toyota Australia's highest production year was in 2007, when they produced 148,931 cars, with the highest production month being October of that same year, with 15,355 cars produced. The Middle East was the biggest export market for Australian-built Toyotas, purchasing 1,245,914 cars. In total, Australians have bought more than 6.5 million Toyota vehicles.
In 2017, Toyota ended its more than half a century of manufacturing vehicles in Australia. The Altona plant held a ceremony to commemorate the closure, with Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner paying tribute to employees for their dedication and contributions to the company's success.
Despite the end of manufacturing operations, Toyota remains committed to Australia and has since opened a product centre in the former powertrain manufacturing building. The company continues to design and develop unique products for the Australian market and aims to retain and build on the expertise developed during its long history of vehicle manufacturing in the country.
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The highest number of cars produced in a year was 148,931 in 2007
Toyota has a long history in Australia, dating back to the 1960s when it was the company's largest export market. In 1963, Toyota began assembling cars in Australia, marking the start of over five decades of local manufacturing. This early period saw the production of iconic models such as the LandCruiser, Crown, Corona, and Corolla.
However, in 2017, Toyota ended its vehicle manufacturing operations in the country. The closure of the Altona plant marked the end of an era, with the company shifting its focus away from production. The highest number of cars produced in a year during this period was 148,931 in 2007, with the highest production month being October of that year, when 15,355 vehicles rolled off the assembly lines.
This record production year highlights the significance of Toyota's Australian operations during its manufacturing heyday. The Altona plant played a crucial role in Toyota's global operations, with engines produced at this facility being used not only in the local market but also exported to countries like Thailand and Malaysia.
The end of manufacturing in Australia didn't signal a complete withdrawal of Toyota from the country. The company has continued to maintain a presence, as evidenced by the opening of a product centre in 2021 at the former Altona manufacturing site. This new facility brings together planning, design, engineering, and evaluation teams, showcasing Toyota's ongoing commitment to Australian consumers and its legacy of collaboration and innovation in the market.
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Australians have bought over 6.5 million Toyota vehicles
Toyota's presence in Australia began with the import of Toyota Land Cruisers for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. By the 1960s, Australia had become the company's largest export market, with popular nameplates like the LandCruiser. In 1963, Toyota started assembling vehicles in Australia, making it the first country outside Japan to produce Toyota cars. The first model off the production line was the Tiara, assembled at a factory in Port Melbourne, which later became the site of the company's corporate headquarters.
Over the years, Toyota Australia produced several well-known car models, including the Crown, Corona, Corolla, Camry, Avalon, and more. The Corolla, in particular, has been a top-selling brand in the Toyota range, accounting for about 37% of total sales, with 1.3 million sales since its introduction in 1967. Other popular models include the Camry, with 857,000 sales, the Yaris, with 192,000 sales, and the Corona, with 354,000 sales from 1964 to 1988.
Toyota's impact on the Australian automotive industry extended beyond sales figures. The company played a significant role in local manufacturing and employment. In 1972, Toyota bought out British Leyland's interest in Australian Motor Industries (AMI), further solidifying its commitment to the country. The Altona plant, established in 1978, became a hub for engine production, with Altona-built engines used in Camrys for the local and export markets.
Despite the eventual closure of Toyota's manufacturing operations in Australia in 2017, the company has continued to support its former employees and the broader community. Initiatives like the DRIVE program and the Toyota Community Trust demonstrate Toyota's dedication to the people impacted by the closure. Moreover, Toyota has retained a significant presence in Australia, with plans to develop new facilities and introduce innovative models, such as the second-generation Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Toyota closed its manufacturing operations in Australia in 2017, ending over 50 years of manufacturing in the country.
Toyota started assembling cars in Australia in 1963, moving into full manufacture later on.
Toyota manufactured several models in Australia, including the LandCruiser, Crown, Corona, Corolla, Camry, and Tiara.
Although Toyota no longer manufactures cars in Australia, they continue to have a presence in the country. In 2021, they opened a product centre in an old powertrain plant, housing local planning, design, engineering, and evaluation teams. This centre is used to design and develop unique products for the Australian and global markets.
