Comments on: 25% of government car fleet foreign made

By: Glen

Glen — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:37:50 +0000

Australian made cars are too big and too thirsty. The government needs to set an example and buy smaller more economical cars, and it’s about time the local car makers started producing them. Private car buyers are purchasing small cars like Corolla and Mazda 3.

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:36:12 +0000

Bret says: “It’s just that some of the cars built here were designed/developed here and hence are considered Australian, whereas others, like Camry/Aurion for example, are just overseas designs built here (with lots of imported parts), so are never consideresd Australian.”

The funny thing is Bret I remember reading about it in the mags/paper etc that when the VE Commodore was first released, it had the least amount of Australian made content of all the Aus assembled cars. Even the Toyotas had more Aus made content. Whilst the Toyotas were not designed here like the Commodore/Falcon, they still had a fair amount of development work done in country. For quite a while Australia was one of the main developing grounds for Toyota world wide, even for models not available here. In someway that is no different to Ford Doing Falcon development work in Scandanavia etc.

By: jeremey

jeremey — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:46:05 +0000

OF COURSE THEY SHOULD HAVE AUSTRALIAN GOVERMENT CARS ONLY AND THE POLICE CARS AS WELL.

By: Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

Bavarian Missile (.)(.) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:22:26 +0000

Yeah well after Rudds just announced “the largest infrastructure decision in Australia’s history”, faster broadband………..they all may be catching the bus . Really got your priories right there Rudd,start of a recession and you start planning a legacy for yourself…….

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:18:33 +0000

I agree with you Cupid – that Global cars are the way most car companies are heading.. that is designing cars that have more “international appeal” etc.

Unfortunately however; GM are still designing/building cars that are about as aerodynamic as a brick with as much appeal as syphilis.
The only exception is the Camaro [which was designed by Holden]

If they were serious about their survival they would: sell off car these car companies like Cadillac/Buick as well as get rid of their designers [along with their rulers]

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:07:18 +0000

Besides why should the Government subsidise car co’s locallity, let them sort it garage out. The market will dictate the cars sold, I don’t suppose there’s room for Falcons or Commodors in reality due to limited numbers sold and with such little exporting to make developemnt worthwhile. Global cars for Global markets its the way things are going.

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:59:42 +0000

If the locally produced cars don’t fit the bill then theres no choice, seems rediculous the Aussie Govm’t sponsor gas guzzlers and not eco boxes.
If there was a locally built decent big diesel then I’m sure it would get picked. Take my recently received 2.7 TDi A6. long runs its doing 5.9′s/100 far cheaper for the elctorate to run. OK the A6 is pricey but theres no local car available.
No choice for authorities really.

By: Bret

Bret — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:00:47 +0000

Govt fleet sales are that small in the overall scheme of the market that’s a pointles and erroneous claim D1NGO.

By: the fact

the fact — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:53:45 +0000

if it weren’t for fleet sales of the commodores to largely mis-guided government agencies who absurdly insist on a buy Australian policy favouring the local versions of badly performing multi-national corporations, Holden and Ford would be long gone in Australia at least.but now australia’s fleet have changed in a big way.most fleets now let you get BMW,LEXUS,,,etc..instead of only two choices fleet image commodores or falcons.

By: Bret

Bret — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:56:17 +0000

Aleks, but they DO buy them. How did you miss the fact that 75% are locally made cars.
And No I dissagree, they’re not all crap either.