Lexi Webster
Australian-sold Volkswagens in the 1950s, 1960s, and most of the 1970s were made in Melbourne. In 1954, Volkswagen Australia began importing German CKD kits and assembling them in Melbourne. Over time, Australian-made components such as batteries, tyres, and glass were substituted, and by 1957, Australia was manufacturing 51% of the components of the flat-packed Beetles. Today, Volkswagen vehicles are made in several countries around the world, including Brazil, China, India, Slovakia, the USA, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Mexico, South Africa, and Russia. The Volkswagen Amarok, for example, is produced in Argentina and Germany.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australian-made Volkswagens | Assembled in Melbourne from 1954 onwards |
| Australian-made components included batteries, tyres, glass, paints, glues, nuts, bolts, electrical parts, etc. | |
| Australian VWs differed from US/Euro versions in luggage space, seat adjusters, heater knob, paint colours, bumpers, tyres, etc. | |
| Current Australian Volkswagens | Imported from overseas |
| Volkswagen Amarok imported from Argentina and Germany | |
| Volkswagen Polo assembled in South Africa |
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What You'll Learn
Australian-made Volkswagens were once a reality
The story of Australian-made Volkswagens began with the country's military. During World War II, ANZAC forces stationed in the North African desert captured Kubelwagens, a type of Volkswagen, from the enemy. The effectiveness of these vehicles in the desert conditions sparked interest among local military strategists, who wanted to test Volkswagens on Australian terrain. In 1949, the military auctioned off two captured VW Beetles to the public, marking the first known sale of Volkswagens in Australia.
In 1951, a German migrant named Therese Hanael brought a black right-hand drive VW to Australia, becoming the first person to personally import a Volkswagen to the country. This was followed in 1953 by the official importation and sale of Volkswagens in Australia. Initially, these cars were fully imported, but that would soon change. The Federal Government of the time offered substantial tax concessions for locally manufactured vehicles, providing an incentive for local assembly.
In June 1954, Volkswagen Australia began importing German CKD ("Completely Knocked Down") kits and assembling them in Melbourne. Over time, Australian-made components, such as batteries, tyres, glass, paints, electrical parts, and more, replaced imported ones. By 1957, Australia was producing 51% of the components for these locally assembled Beetles, marking a significant milestone in the country's automotive history.
The Australian-made Volkswagens of this era featured unique characteristics that set them apart from their European and American counterparts. For instance, they had increased front luggage space due to a redesigned fuel tank, seat adjusters, and a forward-moved heater knob. Additionally, they offered new Australian paint colour choices and interior trim options. These locally-made VWs retained the regular Euro-style chrome bumpers instead of adopting the US-style deluxe bumpers.
While the local production of Volkswagens in Australia eventually came to an end, with the country now sourcing its vehicles from overseas markets, the legacy of this period remains. The Australian-made Volkswagens stand as a testament to the country's automotive capabilities and the global reach of the Volkswagen brand.
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Melbourne was the hub for local manufacturing
Through the late 1950s, basic Australian-made components such as batteries, tyres, and glass were substituted, and local production was gradually expanded to include paints and glues, nuts and bolts, rubber and cloth, trim, and electrical components. By 1957, Australia was making 51% of the components of the flat-packed Beetles.
Australian-made Volkswagens from the 1950s, 1960s, and most of the 1970s were manufactured in Melbourne, and there are numerous differences between these cars and their American, British, and European versions. For example, Australian VWs retained the regular Euro-style chrome bumpers with small verticals, while US-style deluxe bumpers with 'towel rails' and large verticals were not adopted. Australian-made VWs also featured locally-made Dunlop tyres, which were not tubeless like their US counterparts.
However, with the closure of local manufacturing plants, Australians are now buying their cars from overseas. Every new car available in Australia is sourced from abroad.
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Australian-made VWs had unique features
The history of Australian-made Volkswagens dates back to the 1950s, when the Federal Government offered tax concessions for locally-made cars. This led to Volkswagen Australia importing German CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits and assembling them in Melbourne. Over time, Australian-made components such as batteries, tyres, glass, paints, fasteners, electrical parts, and unique interior trim were incorporated.
One of the distinct features of Australian-made VWs was the increased front luggage space achieved by modifying the fuel tank design. Additionally, seat adjusters were included, and the heater knob was repositioned forward. Australian VWs also featured new paint colour choices, and they retained the Euro-style chrome bumpers with small verticals instead of adopting the US-style deluxe bumpers.
Australian-made VWs had unique specifications, such as adjustable striker plates, a taller differential, and modified heater outlets. They were the last models to feature the 'oval window' design before the introduction of a larger rear window, smaller rear intake grill, and a larger windscreen in late 1957. Australian VWs also had tubed tyres, unlike the US-style tubeless tyres.
While Australia once played a role in manufacturing VWs, the closure of local manufacturing plants has shifted the sourcing of cars to overseas markets. Today, Volkswagens sold in Australia are imported from various countries, including Germany, South Africa, and Argentina, highlighting the globalised nature of the automotive industry.
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German CKD kits were assembled in Australia
Australia was one of the few countries outside of Germany where Volkswagens were locally manufactured. In the 1950s, 1960s, and most of the 1970s, Australian-sold Volkswagens were made in Melbourne.
In 1951, a German migrant, Therese Hanael, bought a VW from a British officer before she left Antwerp. This is believed to be the first VW imported personally to Australia. Two years later, South Melbourne's Regent Motors secured the import and distribution rights for Volkswagen. These were imported VWs, but they marked a step towards Australia's first locally-built VW.
In June 1954, Regent Motors hired Martin & King Pty Ltd, railway carriage manufacturers, to assemble German CKD ('Completely Knocked Down') kits shipped to Australia. CKD kits allowed for more efficient shipping, as they could be packed more densely than fully assembled cars. Regent Motors could also benefit from local tax concessions for companies assembling cars locally.
Over time, basic Australian-made components were substituted for the German ones in the CKD kits. By the late 1950s, locally-made paints, glues, nuts, bolts, fasteners, rubber, cloth, trim, and electrical components were being used. By 1957, Australia was manufacturing 51% of the components of the CKD Beetles.
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VW Amarok is made in Argentina and Germany
The VW Amarok is a mid-size pickup truck designed and conceived in Germany and Australia. It is currently being produced in the Volkswagen Group plant in General Pacheco, Argentina, for South American, Mexican, Oceanian, South African, Russian, and European markets.
In 2010, Volkswagen decided to produce 40,000 Amarok pickups annually in Hanover, Germany, for the European and small-volume markets from mid-2012. The Hanover site was originally dropped from possible sites to produce the Amarok due to the 2008 financial crisis and increasing economic costs in Europe in 2009. However, in 2012, VW met with Canadian and American dealerships to discuss introducing the Amarok pickup to those markets.
The Amarok has been available in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, South Africa, and throughout Europe and South America. In 2020, the Core V6 (also called TDI500 Core) was offered exclusively on the Australian market. This variant is the only Amarok version in the world to feature a true low-range transfer case.
The second generation of the Amarok was released on July 7, 2022, and is built by Ford at its South African assembly plant in Silverton. It shares the new Ford Ranger's platform as part of the 2019 Ford-VW global alliance cooperation agreement.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian-sold VWs in the 1950s, 1960s, and most of the 1970s were made in Melbourne. However, since the closure of local manufacturing plants, Volkswagens have been made in various countries, including Argentina, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA.
Australia's first Volkswagens were imported by the military during World War II. In 1949, the military sold two of these beetles at auction to the public. In 1951, a German migrant, Therese Hanael, bought a VW from a British officer, which is believed to be the first VW imported personally to Australia. In 1953, Volkswagen was officially imported to Australia, and in 1954, Volkswagen Australia began importing German CKD kits and assembling them in Melbourne.
Australian-built VWs had increased front luggage space due to a change in fuel tank design, seat adjusters, and a forward-moved heater knob. They also introduced new Australian paint colour choices and interior trim.
Yes, the very first Australian-owned Volkswagen, a Kubelwagen, is on display in the Australian War Memorial.
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