Which car company would you like to see buy the plant "should" Mitsubishi go under?

[nota]

Imo total production is the most relevant figure, not just local sales. Both Camry & Commodore production includes a significant export component. Corolla is of course fully imported

[motorsportnerd]

If Corolla sales continue to rise, it may end up the top selling car in Australia. Its already close to Falcon for the number 2 spot.

[motorsportnerd]

The Corolla used to be built in Australia. Considering the market swing away from large cars towards small/medium cars, perhaps it is time for the Australian manufacturers to reintroduce small/medium cars into local manufacturer, rather than continue to rely on the large car market.

[nota]

^^during the 'fuel crisis' last year, for one month I think Corolla outsold Commodore - October IIRC?

[fpv_gtho]

Its outsold the Falcon on monthly sales half a dozen times. No sure about the Commodore though.

If Ford managed to produce Focus's locally, not only would they beef up the industry, they'd get around the supply problems causing the slow sales

[Blue Supra]

The golf GTI has a 5 month waiting list apparently get VW into the country

[fpv_gtho]

it wouldnt be that simple unfortunately with all the unique parts for the GTi and the delay in their production

[nota]

<< once owned a locally-built Golf, the 1st gen

Gawd those things were bad - the paint fell off the tinny body which was far too lightly built and full of crappy plastic clips, and that bloody parcel shelf used to last about 5 minutes. The imported parts were, if anything, worse - awful plastics that at best warped in the heat and fell to bits (like the entire dashboard) or simply decomposed. Typical was the plakky external trim surrounding the side glass - add a few sunny days and your trim ended up with more waves than Bondi Beach. Not a good look

From an ownership perspective the only good thing about those cars was the powertrain and dynamics - the rest was absolute junk

[fpv_gtho]

Good for a track car, bad for an everyday car then

[Blue Supra]

put a R32 V6 in it

[fpv_gtho]

Ive heard those engines can be heavy buggers

[motorsportnerd]

^^during the 'fuel crisis' last year, for one month I think Corolla outsold Commodore - October IIRC?

My memory is the same as yours. Corolla was indeed number 1 seller in October 2005.

[henk4]

any sales figures for Hyundai?

[Luciferous]

High, but Aussie labour would be too expensive.

[fpv_gtho]

48,010 units for last year, placing them as the #7 make for sales