Australian Car Industry News

With Holden only five weeks away from closing its doors in Australia – and after 31 months in a row of new-car sales decline – a Senate Inquiry in Canberra has been told current franchise laws make it too easy for multinational car companies to shut-up shop locally, wipe out jobs, and leave customers high and dry.

More than half of Holden’s dealer network have taken down their iconic signs and it now seems the brand is close to clearing all its cars, with just 165 vehicles reported as sold last month – and fewer than 300 estimated as remaining in the network. Perhaps some consolation for diehard Holden fans, the Commodore was the brand’s biggest selling nameplate in its final days, due in part to a fleet order for NSW Police general duties vehicles.

Victoria's automotive industry has returned to work after months of lockdown, with businesses in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria once again permitted to operate at full capacity. And if you've been sitting on your hands waiting to get your car maintenance checklist ticked off, there's never been a better time.

Sometimes cross-marketing opportunities are too good to pass up. In the lore of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, the state of Victoria has its own mythical creature that is rumoured to prowl the lush forests of the south-west. The Otway Puma.

Korean car maker Kia is on track to finish fourth outright in 2020 – behind market leader Toyota, long-standing number two Mazda and third-placed Hyundai. A decade ago, Kia wasn’t even inside the Top 10. It has been the fastest growing car company in Australia over the past 10 years. Although Kia sales so far this year are down by 12 per cent, the decline is not as sharp as those of its nearest rivals.