Objective
The Government’s New Car Plan for a Greener Future is helping the industry adjust to a more open trade environment and shift to producing vehicles and components with lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Significance for Australia
The automotive manufacturing industry is one of Australia’s major manufacturing sectors. It is a strategically important part of the Australian economy in terms of the investment, jobs, skills, research and development, innovation and exports it generates.
The Australian automotive manufacturing industry comprises three vehicle manufacturers and approximately 165 component, tooling, design and engineering firms. The three car manufacturers are subsidiaries of overseas parents. Many, but not all of the supplier companies are subsidiaries of global corporations. The automotive industry is one of the country’s largest export industries, ahead of traditional commodities such as wine and wool.
For more information on the automotive industry, the Key Automotive Statistics page includes a frequently updated Automotive Data Card and the yearly KAS publication.
Departmental role and current achievements
The Department provides advice to the Australian Government on a range of issues related to the automotive industry.
The Department is implementing the Government's New Car Plan for a Greener Future*. This includes:
*From the period 1 July 2009 to its closure in January 2011, the Green Car Innovation Fund provided substantial assistance in encouraging the production of low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicles, components and technologies.
The Department also conducts research and analysis to underpin policy formulation and evaluation, including the electronic publication of Key Automotive Statistics. It provides advice on general automotive trade issues, including advice on the implications for the automotive industry of proposed Free Trade Agreements.
Targets for 2012
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Assist in the implementation of the Government's New Car Plan for a Greener Future
- Promote increased access to international markets for Australian motor vehicle producers by providing advice on implications for the automotive industry of proposed Free Trade Agreements
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Provide policy advice on automotive issues
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Produce the publication 2011 Key Automotive Statistics
For further information
Phone: +61 2 6213 7088
Email: auto@innovation.gov.au