Toyota closing down as well.

[Binder]

Well looks like Toyota is closing down as well. Means a few more Victorians on the dole Queue I suppose, just a bit more erosion of our manufacturing sector.

/>http://www.caboolturenews.com.au/news/toyota-forecast-shut-australian-operations/2165470/

[crazywalrus]

Is that the last manufacturer. If so the cost of vehicles should drop as there is no need to maintain the import excise to support the industry

[Dinodadog]

Simple fact we just cant compete with overseas wages and prices.

[Binder]

Nope, we cant compete.

and I believe the excise ended a few years ago.

What killed the local car industry in my opinion is exempting 4wd's from a lot of the safety features required for sedans, (not to mention allowing fred blogs the painter to claim a fully kitted out 4wd with towbar and camping extras as his work ute on his tax.......)

meaning they are much cheaper and easier to import, so every soccer mum drives a 4wd instead of a falcon or holden sedan.

[crazywalrus]

Nope, we cant compete.

and I believe the excise ended a few years ago.

What killed the local car industry in my opinion is exempting 4wd's from a lot of the safety features required for sedans, (not to mention allowing fred blogs the painter to claim a fully kitted out 4wd with towbar and camping extras as his work ute on his tax.......)

meaning they are much cheaper and easier to import, so every soccer mum drives a 4wd instead of a falcon or holden sedan.

Probably had an effect.

[JarrydA]

The import tax is only 5% and only applies to countries that dont have FTA. With the dropping of the AUS dollar, even the removal of the import tax will have minimal effect on the cost of cars here.