Omari Gates
Australia has a long history of car manufacturing, with the first car made in Australia being a steam-powered car called the Phaeton, built in 1896. The first petrol-driven car built entirely in Australia was the Tarrant automobile, produced in 1901. Over the years, Australia has been home to a substantial car industry, with Ford Australia and Holden leading the way in car manufacturing and design. However, in recent years, the Australian car market has shifted towards electric vehicles, with global car manufacturers like Mitsubishi, Ford, and Toyota closing their production plants in the country. Despite this shift, Australia continues to be a significant market for cars, with a range of international carmakers selling their vehicles in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first imported car | 1897 |
| First imported car model | Pender-Hertel |
| First locally-made car | The Phaeton, a steam car |
| First petrol-driven car built in Australia | Tarrant automobile |
| First company to produce an Australian Coupe ute | Ford Australia |
| First Australian-designed mass-production car | Holden |
| Car models sold in Australia | 1549 as of 2019 |
| Car brands sold in Australia | Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Alpina, Alpine, Aston Martin, Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo, BMW, etc. |
| Car manufacturers in Australia | Holden, Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, General Motors, etc. |
| Focus | Electric vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
Australian-made cars
Australia has a long history of car manufacturing, with constructors playing an active role in the early development of automobiles. The isolation of the country meant that it was often more practical for Australia to make their own cars. The first imported car in Australia is believed to be the Pender-Hertel of 1897, while the first cars offered for sale in the country were the Highland, first sold as a motorised tricycle in 1894, and then as a four-wheeled, two-seater vehicle in 1896. The first car made in Australia was the Phaeton, a steam car produced in 1896 by Herbert Thomson and Edward Holmes of Armadale, Melbourne.
In the 20th century, a substantial car industry was created in Australia through the opening of local plants by international manufacturers. The first major carmaker was Ford Australia, which established its headquarters in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925. The first Australian-designed mass-production car was manufactured by Holden in 1948, and the company went on to produce a broad range of original, locally-made vehicles, such as the Holden Commodore. Holden also had a performance vehicle partner, Holden Special Vehicles, which marketed modified Holdens under the HSV brand.
Other notable Australian-made cars include the Tarrant, the first petrol-driven car built entirely in Australia by Harley Tarrant in 1901, and various models produced by Australian Motor Industries (AMI), which began assembly operations in 1952 and produced cars for Standard, Triumph, Mercedes-Benz, and American Motors Corporation (AMC). British Leyland also assembled and manufactured vehicles in Australia from 1950 to 1975.
One of the most iconic Australian-made cars is the Ford Falcon ute, produced from 1961 to 2016. The ute, short for "utility", is a unique type of vehicle that originated in Australia and is based on a passenger car chassis with a tray at the back. Ford Australia was the first company to produce a Coupe ute in 1934 after receiving a letter from the wife of a farmer who wanted "a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays". Holden also released a "utility" model in 1951, and both companies contributed to the long-standing tradition of Australian-designed two-door utes.
Despite the rich history of car manufacturing in Australia, the industry has faced several challenges in recent years. The high minimum wage in Australia has made it more expensive to produce cars locally compared to other countries. Additionally, the movement towards free trade and the decrease in government protectionism have made imported cars cheaper than locally produced ones. The Australian government also cut subsidies to the car industry, further impacting local manufacturing. As a result, companies like Holden ended their local manufacturing operations in 2017, and the Holden brand name was retired in 2020.
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Electric vehicles
The first 'big brand' electric car was the GM EV-1, which had a 26kWh battery and a range of about 130km. Since then, several other electric vehicles have been introduced, including the hybrid Toyota Prius, the original Tesla Roadster, and the Nissan Leaf, which was the first mass-produced all-electric vehicle for the global market. EVs have driving ranges of anywhere between 250 to 600km, although this can be affected by factors such as battery size, driving behaviour, and ambient temperature.
In addition to fully electric vehicles, there are also hybrid electric vehicles, which combine a traditional petrol engine with a battery and electric motor to reduce fuel consumption. Hybrids do not need to be plugged in as the battery is charged through driving. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are another type of electrified vehicle, with the original plug-in Chevrolet (Holden) Volt being an example.
Kia offers a range of electric vehicles in Australia, including the EV6, which offers superb acceleration and braking performance, and the Niro SUV, which features advanced connectivity and smart safety features. The EV5, EV3, and EV9 are other electric SUV options from Kia, with the latter being their flagship 7-seat SUV.
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Ute vehicles
The concept of a two-door vehicle based on a passenger car chassis with a tray at the rear began in the United States in the 1920s with the roadster utility models. However, Australian-produced utes traditionally had a few distinct features. They were typically rear-wheel drive, and the cargo tray was integrated with the passenger body, unlike pickup trucks where the cargo area is separate. The Ford Australia Coupe Ute, released in 1934, was the first Australian ute. It featured a two-door body with a tray at the rear, designed in response to a request from a farmer's wife for a vehicle that could "go to church in on a Sunday and... carry our pigs to market on Mondays".
Holden, another major player in the Australian automotive industry, released their ""utility"" model in 1951, based on the 48-215 sedan. With Ford and Holden now producing utes, a long-standing tradition of Australian-designed two-door vehicles with a tray at the back, based on a passenger car chassis, was born. This led to the development of a unique culture around utes, particularly in rural areas, with events known as ute musters. It is common to customise utes in the "B&S style" with bullbars, spotlights, oversized mudflaps, exhaust pipe flaps, and UHF aerials.
Over the years, various models of utes have been produced and sold in Australia, including high-performance options like the FPV F6 and the HSV Maloo. The Ford Falcon ute, produced from 1961 to 2016, initially featured a coupe ute style but later switched to a separate cargo bed design. The Ford Ranger, while designed in Australia, is built elsewhere and has been a popular choice for Australians seeking the utility of a truck in a smaller, nimbler package. Other popular utes in Australia include the Holden Ute, VW Amarok, and Jeep Gladiator.
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Australian car market
The Australian car market has a long and fascinating history, with the country being very active in the early days of car development. The first imported car in Australia is believed to be the Pender-Hertel, which arrived in 1897. The first Australian-made cars were steam-powered, with the first one, the Phaeton, built in 1896. In the following years, various car manufacturers, including Ford and Holden, began producing vehicles in Australia, with Holden offering a broad range of locally produced vehicles.
In the 20th century, a substantial car industry was created in Australia with the opening of plants by international manufacturers. Ford Australia was the first major carmaker, and Holden manufactured the first Australian-designed mass-production car in 1948. Australian car manufacturing peaked in the 1970s, producing almost half a million vehicles, and continued to thrive in the early 2000s. However, by 2009, total production had fallen significantly, and the market was dominated by imported cars from Asia and Europe.
Despite the decline in local manufacturing, the Australian car market remains robust and competitive. In 2022, the market experienced a slowdown, with new car sales dipping by almost eight per cent in 2019. However, Australia still purchased over one million cars that year, showcasing the country's strong per-capita car sales. As of 2022, Toyota leads the market with a 19.9% share, followed by Mazda and Ford. The Ford Ranger, a model designed by Ford Australia, was the second-best-selling car in 2019 and 2020.
The Australian market has also witnessed a growing preference for SUVs, which gained popularity around 2016. Additionally, the country has a unique culture around utes, particularly in rural areas, with events known as ute musters. These vehicles are traditionally rear-wheel drive with an integrated cargo tray and passenger body. Ford Australia produced the first Australian Coupe ute in 1934 after receiving a letter from a farmer's wife requesting a vehicle that could carry her family to church and their pigs to market.
In recent years, the Australian EV market has been underperforming compared to Europe and China. However, it has experienced significant growth since 2014, with a 123% increase in sales between 2014 and 2018. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a downturn, but the market rebounded in 2023, with improved charging infrastructure and government support. As of 2025, the Australian EV market is contracting, with a 9.4% decline in the first half of the year.
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Australian car brands
Australia has a long history of car manufacturing, with constructors being very active at the beginning of car development. The first imported car in Australia is believed to be the Pender-Hertel of 1897, with the Highland being one of the first types of automobiles offered for sale in 1894 as a motorised tricycle. The first car made in Australia was a steam car called the Phaeton, made in 1896 by Herbert Thomson and Edward Holmes of Armadale, Melbourne.
In the 20th century, a substantial car industry was created in Australia through the opening of plants by international manufacturers. The first major carmaker was Ford Australia, which produced the first Australian Coupe ute in 1934. The first Australian-designed mass-production car was manufactured by Holden in 1948, which also released a "utility" model in 1951, starting a long tradition of Australian-designed two-door vehicles with a tray at the back. Holden offered a broad range of original, locally produced vehicles, but ended their manufacturing operations in Australia in 2017 and retired the Holden brand name in 2020.
Other notable Australian car brands include Toyota, which is currently the most popular car brand in Australia, with the HiLux selling 61,111 units. Hyundai is also popular in Australia for its advanced technology and design features, with the Hyundai i30 being the favourite choice among Australians when it comes to hatchbacks. Mitsubishi Motors Australia is one of the country's major importers of road vehicles. Subaru and Isuzu are also trusted car brands that continue to see success in sales in the Australian market.
Some other Australian car manufacturers that have since stopped trading include Finlayson Bros & Co. Pty Ltd (1900-1904), Australian Motor Industries (1926-1985), and British Leyland (1950-1975).
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Frequently asked questions
Some cars made in Australia include the Phaeton, the Tarrant automobile, the Holden Commodore, the Ford Falcon, and the Australian Coupe Ute.
Some car brands that sell in Australia include BMW, Audi, Aston Martin, Ford, Holden, and Toyota.
There are 1549 models sold in Australia, including the BMW X5, the Audi A4, the Aston Martin DBS, and the Ford Falcon.
Some Australian car manufacturers include Ford Australia, Holden, and Toyota Australia.
The Australian car market has seen a new focus on electric vehicles. However, there are currently no cars being completely made in Australia due to the folding of the Australian car production market, with global giants like Mitsubishi, Ford, and Toyota shutting down their production plants.
