GM Holden and Toyota account for most of the vehicle exports. The sector represents Australia's sixth largest export earner and free trade agreements with Thailand, the US and potentially China are expected to enhance those export opportunities.
Of the $4.85 billion in exports in 2006, motor vehicles accounted for $3.07 billion, while automotive components were worth $1.78 billion (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries).
Meanwhile, revenue from intellectual property exports and dividends from offshore operations was at least $0.6 billion.
Cars engineered, manufactured and styled in Australia are exported mainly to the Middle East, North America, New Zealand and Korea, but also to South Africa, Japan and China. Australia’s component sector also supplies parts and systems for these markets.
Top Ten Automotive Export Destinations ($ million)
The Middle East is Australia’s largest automotive export market, importing an estimated one million vehicles a year.
Exports were led by Toyota and helped by the success of Ford's Territory in South Africa and Holden's entry into China and South Korea. In addition, Australia’s global reputation for engineering, innovative technologies and design ingenuity means Australian expertise is increasingly being utilised overseas.
Value of Automotive Exports ($ million)
Engineers from GM Holden are providing advice to their US counterparts and technical services to GM companies in South East Asia, while engineers from Ford Australia are increasingly being sought in China for their experience and skills.
Meanwhile, quality cars, such as Holden’s successful Commodore platform, are used to build many variants for export and the Pontiac GTO has found a specialty market in the US.
These global success stories are underpinned by strong research and development expenditure with the support of the Australian Government.
